Picket Fence Snack Platter

# What You Need:

→ Crackers (The Fence)

01 - 20–24 rectangular or oval whole wheat crackers (such as Melba toasts or water crackers)

→ Garden Mix

02 - 1/2 cup raw almonds

03 - 1/2 cup walnut halves

04 - 1/2 cup shelled pistachios

05 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries

06 - 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

07 - 1/2 cup fresh raspberries

08 - 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots

→ Optional Garnishes

09 - 2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup (for drizzling)

10 - Fresh mint leaves

# How To Make It:

01 - Select a large, flat serving platter or wooden board as the base.

02 - Arrange the crackers upright, side by side, around the perimeter of the platter forming a continuous picket fence. Angle inward slightly for stability if necessary.

03 - In a medium mixing bowl, gently toss together the almonds, walnut halves, pistachios, dried cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, and chopped dried apricots.

04 - Spoon the combined mixture into the center of the cracker fence, leaving it loose and abundant for visual appeal.

05 - Lightly drizzle honey or agave syrup over the nut and berry mixture if desired. Garnish with fresh mint leaves to enhance aroma and color.

06 - Present immediately, encouraging guests to dip crackers into the mixture or scoop from the center.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -

It looks deliberately polished and pretty, but it takes barely ten minutes and asks nothing difficult of you.
Everyone finds something they love—nuts, berries, crackers—and it becomes a conversation piece without requiring conversation.

02 -

Angle those crackers inward slightly when you stand them up, or they'll topple outward the moment someone leans near the board—I learned this the hard way at my second party.
Don't mix everything hours ahead of time; the crackers will soften from the berries' moisture, and fresh berries especially get sad sitting in a bowl.

03 -