Gilded Cage Breadstick Dome (Printer View)

Delicate breadstick dome enclosing a fine cheese selection, ideal for entertaining and impressing guests.

# Components:

→ Breadsticks

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
03 - 1 teaspoon sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 2/3 cup lukewarm water
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 egg yolk (for glaze)
08 - 1 tablespoon 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 tablespoons honey or fig jam
16 - Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary), for garnish

# Method steps:

01 - Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add lukewarm water and olive oil, mixing until a dough forms. 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 oven to 390°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
04 - Divide dough into 18 to 20 small pieces. Roll each piece into a thin stick approximately 1/8 inch thick and 10 inches long.
05 - Arrange breadsticks on the tray. Brush lightly with egg yolk and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
06 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, turning once, until breadsticks are golden and crisp. Allow to cool completely.
07 - On a serving platter, create a mound of the assorted cheeses at the center. Add grapes, honey or jam, and fresh herbs if using.
08 - Carefully construct a dome of breadsticks over the cheese mound, using cheeses and sticks for structural support. For added stability, gently press breadsticks into the cheese or use a small bowl mold during assembly, removing it afterward.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, when you actually spent less than an hour total.
  • The contrast of crispy, golden breadsticks and creamy, complex cheeses creates a textural moment that lingers.
  • It gives you permission to buy really good cheese and serve it without guilt because the presentation makes it feel like a special occasion.
02 -
  • Breadsticks that cool completely become sturdier and less likely to crack when you're maneuvering them into the dome—rushing this step almost always leads to breakage.
  • The cheese mound needs to be dense enough to support the breadsticks without crumbling, so don't spread it too thin across the platter.
03 -
  • Make extra breadsticks while you're at it—they disappear faster than you'd expect, and having extras means no one has to watch the dome collapse while they're still eating.
  • If the dome feels unstable, a thin wooden skewer inserted vertically through the center and hidden among the breadsticks can provide invisible support without compromising the visual impact.
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