Cream Cheese Board

This cream cheese board features seasonal edible flowers and is a fun way to entertain in spring, summer, and early fall.

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It only takes a few minutes to put together and is great for entertaining. If this doesn’t impress your guests, what would? The flowers aren’t just decorative, either. Different petals have different flavors. Nasturtiums are a bit peppery, while others, like marigolds, are milder.

What Kinds of Flowers are Edible?

Only use flowers you can positively identify as edible. Avoid flowers from florists, garden centers, roadsides, or anywhere they may have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals not labeled for edible crops.

Perennials

• Bee balm — Monarda didyma or Monarda fistulosa
• Chives — Allium schoenoprasum
• Daylily — Hemerocallis spp. Do not use true lilies (Lilium spp.)
• Dianthus — Dianthus spp.
• Echinacea — Echinacea purpurea
• English lavender — Lavandula angustifolia
• Garden phlox — Phlox paniculata
• Hollyhock — Alcea rosea
• Hosta — Hosta spp.
• Lemon balm — Melissa officinalis
• Mint — Mentha spp.
• Oregano — Origanum vulgare
• Primrose — Primula vulgaris
• Red clover — Trifolium pratense
• Rose — Rosa spp.
• Sage — Salvia officinalis
• Thyme — Thymus vulgaris
• Violet — Viola spp.
• Yarrow — Achillea millefolium

Annuals

• Bachelor’s buttons — Centaurea cyanus
• Basil flowers — Ocimum basilicum
• Calendula — Calendula officinalis
• Chamomile — Matricaria chamomilla
• Cilantro flowers — Coriandrum sativum
• Dill flowers — Anethum graveolens
• Nasturtium — Tropaeolum majus
• Pansy — Viola × wittrockiana
• Signet marigold — Tagetes tenuifolia
• Sunflower — Helianthus annuus
• Viola — Viola spp.
• Zinnia — Zinnia elegans

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Herb Leaves to Include

• Basil — Ocimum basilicum — Mild and fresh. The flowers and small leaves both work well.
• Chives — Allium schoenoprasum — Use the blossoms whole or pull them apart for a mild onion flavor.
• Dill — Anethum graveolens — Feathery leaves and flowers look great and work especially well with cream cheese.
• Mint — Mentha spp. — Fresh and bright. Use small leaves so it doesn’t overpower the other flavors.
• Oregano — Origanum vulgare — Small leaves and flowers add a savory note. Use lightly.
• Parsley — Petroselinum crispum — Mild enough to use generously and good for filling little bare spots.
• Red mizuna mustard — Brassica rapa var. japonica — Feathery burgundy leaves with a mild peppery, mustard flavor. It adds both color and a fresh bite to the board.
• Rosemary — Salvia rosmarinus — Use sparingly because the flavor is strong. Small sprigs are best.
• Thyme — Thymus vulgaris — Tiny leaves and flowers are easy to scatter around the board without overwhelming anything.

What You Need

• Cream cheese: Use a homemade cream cheese spread, a store-bought spread, Boursin, or goat cheese. Soften cheese to room temperature.
• Flowers: Choose a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.
• Herb leaves: Use small pieces of herbs or even single leaves, if the leaves are larger.
• Veggies: Like the mini bell peppers on our board or carrot or celery sticks to scoop up the cheese.
• Crackers or bread: A selection of crackers or broken pieces of fresh bread, toasted baguette, or crostini will all work well.

How to Make Your Own Spreadable Cream Cheese

You can also add finely minced vegetables for a veggie cream cheese, like bell peppers, carrots, and celery.

Spices to Use to Flavor Cream Cheese

• Garlic powder — an easy way to add savory garlic flavor without chunks
• Onion powder — adds mild onion flavor and works with almost any herb
• Smoked paprika — adds color and a little smoky flavor
• Sweet paprika — milder, mostly for color and a gentle pepper flavor
• Black pepper — simple, but it makes cream cheese taste less flat
• White pepper — good if you want pepper flavor without black flecks
• Cayenne — just a pinch for heat
• Crushed red pepper — if you want visible heat and texture
• Dill weed — especially good with chives or cucumber
• Everything bagel seasoning — easy shortcut and really good on cream cheese
• Celery seed — nice in savory vegetable-style cream cheese
• Mustard powder — gives it a little tang and sharpness
• Lemon pepper — good with herbs, salmon, or veggies
• Za’atar — if you want something a little different and herbier
• Ranch seasoning — not fancy, but people love it

Use a small amount to start. The cheese can get salty and strongly flavored once the seasonings sit for a bit.

How to Assemble a Cream Cheese Board

Let the cream cheese soften until it is easy to spread. Spoon or spread it over the center of a cutting board or serving board, leaving room around the edges for crackers, bread, and vegetables. The back of a spoon or an offset spatula works well. Make swoops or swirls to add texture and interest.

Add edible flowers, petals, herbs, and small vegetables on top of the cream cheese. Start with the larger flowers, then fill in the spaces with smaller petals and herbs. Arrange crackers and other dippers around the outside just before serving to keep them crisp.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can mix the flavored cream cheese a day or two ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator. You can also decorate the board with flowers and herbs a few hours ahead, then refrigerate until serving.

Add crackers, bread, and other foods that can become soggy shortly before serving. Refrigerate leftover cream cheese and toppings promptly.

Variations

• Sprinkle with bacon bits or finely chopped red onion.
• Make a sweet board with cinnamon-raisin cream cheese and add cookies for dipping.
• Add smoked salmon, capers, dill, and thinly sliced red onion for a bagel-inspired board.
• Make a garden vegetable version with chopped peppers, cucumbers, carrots, radishes, and fresh herbs.
• Add jalapeños, hot pepper flakes, or pepper jelly for a spicy version.
• Use goat cheese or Boursin instead of cream cheese for a tangier board.
• Make an herby version with chives, dill, parsley, thyme, and cracked black pepper.
• Add fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, figs, or grapes for a sweet-and-savory board.
• Use roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil for a Mediterranean-style variation.
• Top with chopped nuts, honey, and edible flowers for a slightly sweeter version.

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Tools That Make This Recipe Work

• Cutting board
• Spoon

More Recipes for Entertaining

• Seafood Charcuterie
• Halloween Charcuterie
• Christmas Dessert Charcuterie
• Taco Bar
• Chili Bar

Decorate individual crackers just before serving so they don’t get soggy.

Originally published September 22, 2026.