Pin it My daughter came home from school with a drawing of a rocket ship and immediately asked if we could make something that looked like it for her snack. I had a wedge of sharp cheddar in the fridge and fresh strawberries on the counter, and suddenly this silly, beautiful idea took shape. What started as a quick kitchen experiment became the thing she asked me to make every single time friends came over.
I remember standing in my kitchen one Saturday morning, watching my daughter peer over the counter edge as I arranged those first few cheese wedges. She was so focused, helping me figure out which way the point should face, that I realized this wasn't just about snacking—it was about the two of us making something together. That's when I knew I'd stumbled onto something special.
Ingredients
- Sharp cheddar cheese, 200g cut into pointed wedges: The wedges are your rocket body, so this is where you want flavor that matters—something that tastes like something. The sharper the better; it has the structure to hold its shape and looks gloriously golden when arranged.
- Cream cheese, 100g (optional): A little dab between wedges acts like edible glue without being obvious, and it adds a creamy note against the sharp cheddar.
- Fresh strawberries, 200g hulled and sliced lengthwise: These are your flames, and slicing them lengthwise makes them dramatic and flickery-looking, way better than halves.
- Black olives, sliced (optional): They become little windows on your rocket—small details that make people smile when they notice them.
- Carrot sticks, 2-3 thin ones (optional): Angled from the sides, they look like stabilizer fins and add a pop of orange next to the red strawberries.
- Fresh mint leaves, 1 tablespoon (optional): A whisper of green tucked around the edges ties the whole thing together like a garnish on a real dish.
Instructions
- Build your rocket body:
- Lay out your cheese wedges on the platter in a pointed formation, slightly overlapping them so they feel stable and intentional. You're aiming for that sleek rocket silhouette—pointy nose, slightly wider middle, like it's ready to launch.
- Anchor it if needed:
- If your wedges feel wobbly, dab a tiny bit of cream cheese between them like construction paste. You want it solid enough to survive a curious hand reaching for a bite.
- Create the flames:
- Arrange your strawberry slices at the base in a fan pattern, overlapping them so they look like they're bursting upward. The more dramatic you go, the better it reads as fire.
- Add the details:
- Dot on those olive slices as windows along the cheese body, and tuck your carrot sticks in at angles like fins. These little touches are what make people realize this took thought.
- Finish and serve:
- Step back and look at your rocket, then add a few mint leaves for color if you like. Serve right away while everything is fresh and crisp, or cover it and refrigerate until guests arrive.
Pin it The first time I served this at a dinner party, I watched a four-year-old go completely silent, then point and whisper, 'Is that rocket for eating?' When everyone nodded, the joy on her face reminded me that food doesn't have to be complicated to be memorable—sometimes it just needs to be fun and delicious.
Playing With Cheese Varieties
You don't have to stick with sharp cheddar—I've done this with Gouda for deeper color, Swiss for those gorgeous holes, and even smoked gouda when I was feeling ambitious. Each cheese brings its own personality to the rocket, and it's a fun way to use up whatever wedge is sitting in your cheese drawer. The only rule is that your cheese should be firm enough to cut into clean wedges.
When Strawberries Aren't Your Thing
Mango slices make a brighter, more tropical flame effect, and I once did a whole rocket with orange slices for a winter gathering that felt both festive and a little bit silly. Raspberries or even pomegranate seeds can work too if you want something more jewel-like. The point is to play—whatever red or orange fruit you have that slices nicely becomes your fire.
Making It a Meal
As pretty as this looks on its own, sometimes you want something more substantial on the plate. Set it out alongside crackers, breadsticks, or even toasted baguette slices so people can build little bites. I once served it with a small bowl of apricot jam on the side, which sounds random but felt somehow right with the sharpness of the cheese.
- Crackers are your classic pairing—let people build their own combinations.
- A small knife and small plate nearby makes grazing feel intentional, not chaotic.
- Keep it chilled until the last moment so the fruit stays bright and the cheese stays firm.
Pin it There's something magical about putting food on a plate that makes people smile before they even taste it. This rocket reminds me that we eat with our eyes first, and there's real power in that.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What cheeses work well for the rocket body?
Sharp cheddar is ideal for its firmness and flavor, but you can also use Gouda or Swiss for color and texture variations.
- → How do I keep the rocket shape stable?
Overlap the cheese wedges slightly and use small dabs of cream cheese between pieces to hold them securely in place.
- → Can the fruit flames be substituted?
Yes, mango or orange slices offer a different flame color and taste, maintaining the visual effect.
- → What optional garnishes add detail to the presentation?
Sliced black olives can represent windows, carrot sticks act as fins, and fresh mint leaves provide color accents.
- → Is this snack suitable for dietary restrictions?
It is vegetarian and gluten-free but contains dairy, so check cheese labels if allergies or sensitivities are a concern.