Gilded Cage breadsticks cheese (Print Version)

Delicate breadstick dome covering an exquisite mix of fine cheeses and fresh accompaniments.

# What You'll Need:

→ Breadsticks

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp instant dry yeast
03 - 1 tsp sugar
04 - 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
05 - 2/3 cup lukewarm water
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 egg yolk (for glaze)
08 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

→ Cheese Selection

09 - 3.5 oz triple-cream Brie, cut into cubes
10 - 3.5 oz aged Comté, cut into cubes
11 - 2.8 oz truffled goat cheese, shaped into small balls
12 - 2.8 oz blue cheese (e.g., Roquefort), crumbled
13 - 1.75 oz Parmigiano Reggiano, shaved

→ Accompaniments (optional)

14 - 1 small bunch seedless red grapes
15 - 2 tbsp honey or fig jam
16 - Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary), for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add lukewarm water and olive oil. Mix until dough forms and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
02 - Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
03 - Preheat the oven to 390°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
04 - Divide the dough into 18 to 20 small pieces. Roll each piece into a thin stick approximately 1/8 inch thick and 10 inches long.
05 - Place the breadsticks on the prepared tray. Brush lightly with egg yolk and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
06 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, turning once during baking, until golden and crisp. Allow to cool completely.
07 - On a serving platter, arrange the cheeses in a mound at the center. Add grapes, honey or fig jam, and garnish with fresh herbs if using.
08 - Carefully form a dome by arranging breadsticks over the cheese mound, using the cheeses and breadsticks to support each other. For added stability, gently press breadsticks into cheese or assemble over a small bowl as a mold, removing it afterwards.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks architectural and impressive but comes together with surprising ease once you understand the assembly.
  • The contrast between warm, toasted breadsticks and cool, silky cheeses hits differently than serving them separately.
  • People actually remember this dish—it becomes the thing they ask you to bring to the next gathering.
02 -
  • Breadsticks must cool completely or they'll wilt when you lean them against warm cheese—this is the difference between a showstopper and a collapsed mess.
  • Assemble this no more than 2 hours before serving, or the breadsticks will absorb moisture and lose their crispness.
  • A shallow bowl placed upside-down in the center of your platter can serve as a mold while you arrange breadsticks, then remove it gently for the final reveal.
03 -
  • Make the breadsticks a day ahead and store them in an airtight container—they stay crisp and you reduce day-of stress.
  • If blue cheese isn't universally loved at your table, keep it in a separate small bowl on the platter instead of fully incorporated, letting guests opt in.
  • A light brush of truffle oil on some breadsticks before baking elevates the whole affair with minimal effort.
Go Back