The Retro Rocket Snack (Printable)

An eye-catching snack with sharp cheese wedges and strawberries arranged to resemble a rocket.

# What You Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 7 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cut into pointed wedges
02 - 3.5 oz cream cheese (optional, for assembling)

→ Fruit

03 - 7 oz fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced lengthwise

→ Garnish & Extras

04 - 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves (optional, for decoration)
05 - 1 tablespoon black olives, sliced (optional, for windows or details)
06 - 2-3 thin carrot sticks (optional, for rocket fins)

# How To Make It:

01 - On a large serving platter, position the sharp cheddar wedges in a pointed formation to form the rocket body, slightly overlapping them for stability.
02 - Apply small dabs of cream cheese between wedges as needed to secure the structure.
03 - Arrange the sliced strawberries at the base of the rocket, fanning them outward to resemble flames.
04 - Place black olive slices to mimic windows or other rocket details.
05 - Add carrot sticks and mint leaves as fins or color accents, if desired.
06 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until presentation.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's pure theater with zero cooking skills required—literally just arranging cheese and fruit.
  • Kids think they're eating rocket ships; adults quietly fill their plates because it tastes better than it has any right to.
  • Shows up to potlucks and impresses people way more than the actual effort deserves.
02 -
  • The most important lesson is that overlapping your cheese wedges slightly is what makes this actually stay together—don't space them out thinking it looks prettier, because your rocket will collapse the moment someone picks up a piece.
  • Strawberries release moisture as they sit, so if you're making this more than an hour ahead, pat the slices dry with a paper towel and add them closer to serving time.
03 -
  • Cut your cheese wedges the night before and store them in an airtight container; they'll actually hold their shape better than room-temperature cheese, and you'll have one less thing to do during your pre-party scramble.
  • If you're using cream cheese as adhesive, warm it slightly between your fingers before applying it so it spreads invisible and your rocket doesn't look held together with frosting.
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