Diamond Inlay Elegant Appetizer (Printable Version)

Creamy cheese ring surrounds a luxe caviar or tapenade center, perfect for sophisticated gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Cream Cheese Layer

01 - 7 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 tbsp sour cream
03 - 1 tsp lemon juice
04 - Pinch of salt

→ Center Diamond

05 - 1.5 oz black caviar (optional for pescatarian)
06 - 1.5 oz black olive tapenade (optional for vegetarian)

→ Garnish & Serving

07 - 1 tbsp finely chopped chives or dill
08 - Crackers, blinis, or toasted baguette slices

# How To Make:

01 - In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, and salt until smooth and fluffy.
02 - Place a circular ring mold or cookie cutter approximately 3 inches in diameter on the serving platter.
03 - Using a spoon or piping bag, pipe an even, thick ring of cream cheese mixture around the inside edge of the mold, leaving the center empty.
04 - Carefully spoon the caviar or tapenade into the center, smoothing to form a diamond shape.
05 - Gently lift the ring mold to reveal the diamond inlay shape on the platter.
06 - Sprinkle chopped chives or dill over the inlay for color.
07 - Serve immediately with crackers, blinis, or toasted baguette slices.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes restaurant-quality but takes just 15 minutes, which means you can actually pull this off.
  • The contrast of creamy and briny, soft and luxe, makes people pause mid-conversation and ask what they're eating.
02 -
  • Cream cheese must be softened but still cold when you serve; if your kitchen is warm, assemble this right before guests arrive so it doesn't slump.
  • If your mold sticks, dip it briefly in hot water, dry it, and try again; a little warmth releases it without damaging the cheese underneath.
03 -
  • If your cream cheese won't blend smoothly, let it sit at room temperature for 10 more minutes; patience here prevents lumps that no amount of stirring can fix.
  • A diamond-shaped cutter or cookie mold creates even more visual impact than a round one, and the extra flair is worth the small effort of finding it.
Return