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Urban Skyscraper Appetizer Platter

Featured in: Snacks You’ll Keep Forever

This vibrant platter showcases a creative assembly of rye bread, multigrain crackers, and breadsticks stacked with aged cheddar, gouda, and herbed cream cheese. Fresh cucumber, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and avocado slices add color and texture, while olives and chives provide garnish. Finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, salt, and pepper, it creates a stunning urban cityscape ideal for cocktail parties and modern get-togethers. Vegetarian-friendly with easy options to add smoked salmon or prosciutto.

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Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:59:00 GMT
Urban Skyscraper Appetizers: Towering cheese and veggie stacks are drizzled with olive oil on a wooden board. Save
Urban Skyscraper Appetizers: Towering cheese and veggie stacks are drizzled with olive oil on a wooden board. | suggestionsforever.com

A playful, visually striking appetizer platter inspired by urban skyscrapers featuring a variety of stacked savory bites perfect for cocktail parties or modern gatherings.

I enjoy creating this appetizer because it brings a fun, architectural element to the table that guests love to explore.

Ingredients

  • Breads & Crackers: 16 cocktail rye bread squares, 16 multigrain cracker rectangles, 16 breadstick segments (about 2 inches long each)
  • Cheeses: 120 g (4 oz) aged cheddar sliced, 120 g (4 oz) herbed cream cheese, 120 g (4 oz) gouda sliced
  • Vegetables & Garnishes: 1 cucumber sliced into thin rectangles, 1 red bell pepper cut into thin strips, 8 cherry tomatoes halved, 2 avocados sliced, 1 small bunch chives cut into 2-inch lengths
  • Extras: 16 pitted green olives, 1 tbsp black sesame seeds, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1:
Prepare a large platter or wooden board as your cityscape base.
Step 2:
Lay out the cocktail rye bread and multigrain crackers in clusters mimicking city blocks.
Step 3:
Stack slices of cheddar and gouda on some bread/crackers to form skyscraper layers.
Step 4:
Use herbed cream cheese as glue to adhere vegetable slices (cucumber, bell pepper, avocado) between layers or on top for color and height.
Step 5:
Place breadstick segments upright into some stacks for extra verticality and visual effect.
Step 6:
Garnish with halved cherry tomatoes, olives, and chive lengths to enhance the skyline look.
Step 7:
Drizzle lightly with olive oil, sprinkle with sesame seeds, salt, and pepper.
Step 8:
Serve immediately allowing guests to choose and enjoy their favorite skyscraper bite.
Delectable Urban Skyscraper Appetizers feature colorful layers of cheese, veggies, and crackers, ready to eat. Save
Delectable Urban Skyscraper Appetizers feature colorful layers of cheese, veggies, and crackers, ready to eat. | suggestionsforever.com

I often make this platter for gatherings and it sparks great conversations as everyone admires the urban-inspired look.

Required Tools

Large serving platter or board Small paring knife Cheese slicer or sharp knife Spatula or butter knife

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cheese cream cheese) Gluten (bread crackers breadsticks) Sesame (seeds) May contain Tree nuts (check cheese/cream cheese labels) Soy (check bread/crackers) Always check ingredient packaging for allergens if serving guests with sensitivities

Nutritional Information

Calories 180 Total Fat 10 g Carbohydrates 18 g Protein 6 g per serving

Beautiful Urban Skyscraper Appetizers, perfect for sharing, offer a delicious array of savory stacked bites. Save
Beautiful Urban Skyscraper Appetizers, perfect for sharing, offer a delicious array of savory stacked bites. | suggestionsforever.com

This appetizer offers a creative and delicious way to wow your guests with minimal cooking required.

Recipe Help & FAQs

→ What breads work best for this platter?

Use firm, sliceable breads like cocktail rye, multigrain crackers, or breadsticks to build stable stacks that hold the layers well.

→ Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Assemble most components shortly before serving to maintain freshness and crisp textures in the breads and vegetables.

→ How can I add protein options?

Incorporate thinly sliced smoked salmon, prosciutto, or turkey breast between layers for a non-vegetarian variety.

→ What garnishes enhance the presentation?

Cherry tomatoes, pitted olives, chive stems, and a sprinkle of black sesame seeds visually elevate the display and add flavor contrast.

→ Are there gluten-free alternatives?

Swap breads and crackers with certified gluten-free options to cater to dietary restrictions without losing style or flavor.

Urban Skyscraper Appetizer Platter

Stacked breads, cheeses, and fresh vegetables create a playful, visually appealing appetizer display.

Prep Time
30 mins
0
Overall Time
30 mins
Created by Suggestions Forever Hannah Lewis


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine International

Makes 8 Serving Count

Diet Details Meat-Free

Ingredient List

Breads & Crackers

01 16 cocktail rye bread squares
02 16 multigrain cracker rectangles
03 16 breadstick segments, 5 cm each

Cheeses

01 120 g aged cheddar, sliced
02 120 g herbed cream cheese
03 120 g gouda, sliced

Vegetables & Garnishes

01 1 cucumber, thinly sliced into rectangles
02 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
03 8 cherry tomatoes, halved
04 2 avocados, sliced
05 1 small bunch chives, cut into 5 cm lengths

Extras

01 16 pitted green olives
02 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
03 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
04 Sea salt, to taste
05 Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Step 01

Arrange Base: Place a large serving platter or wooden board on the counter to serve as the base for the arrangement.

Step 02

Form City Blocks: Cluster the cocktail rye bread squares and multigrain crackers across the platter to simulate city blocks.

Step 03

Build Skyscraper Layers: Layer slices of cheddar and gouda on selected bread squares and crackers to create the look of stacked skyscrapers.

Step 04

Adhere Vegetables: Use herbed cream cheese to stick thin slices of cucumber, bell pepper, and avocado between layers or atop stacks for added height and color.

Step 05

Add Vertical Elements: Insert breadstick segments upright into some of the stacks to enhance verticality and visual interest.

Step 06

Garnish Skyline: Decorate with halved cherry tomatoes, pitted green olives, and chive lengths to mimic elements of a city skyline.

Step 07

Finish Seasoning: Drizzle the entire platter lightly with extra virgin olive oil, then sprinkle with black sesame seeds, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 08

Serve: Present immediately, allowing guests to select and enjoy their preferred savory stacks.

Needed Equipment

  • Large serving platter or wooden board
  • Small paring knife
  • Cheese slicer or sharp knife
  • Spatula or butter knife

Allergy Notice

Review each ingredient to check for allergens. Ask a healthcare specialist if you're unsure.
  • Contains milk, gluten, and sesame; may contain tree nuts and soy

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Details shown are for reference. Always check with your healthcare provider for advice.
  • Calories: 180
  • Fats: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Proteins: 6 g