No matter what kind of party you are throwing this holiday season, these cheesy appetizers are guaranteed crowd pleasers and can be put on the table in a flash. Baked brie, blue cheese spread, and baked goat cheese only require a handful of ingredients and minimal effort. Your guests will love these simple but delicious appetizers.
Blue Cheese Spread
Photo Credit: Migle
Ingredients:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup walnuts
2 to 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces crumbled blue cheese, chilled
multigrain crackers or crostini, for serving
Directions:
Step 1: Heat a saute pan over medium-low heat. Add the walnuts and toast them until fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat immediately so they do not burn. Once cooled, chop the nuts into bite sized pieces.
Step 2: In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with the chopped and thyme leaves. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Fold in the blue cheese into the cream cheese mixture taking care not to break up the crumbles.
Step 4: Transfer the spread into a serving dish and include multigrain crackers and crostini.
Baked Brie
Photo Credit: Kimberly Vardeman
Ingredients:
1 9 oz. wheel of brie cheese
1/2 cup pecan halves
1/4 cup honey
sliced baguette or crackers, for serving
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2: Place the whole cheese wheel on a baking tray.
Step 3: Bake 15 to 20 minutes until cheese has softened. Remove from oven and let cool.
Sep 4: Meanwhile as the cheese cools, heat a saute pan over medium-low heat. Add the pecans and toast them until fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat immediately so they do not burn.
Step 5: Pour the honey over the brie and sprinkle nuts over the top. Serve with crackers or baguette.
Baked Goat Cheese
Photo Credit: Bing
Ingredients:
8 to 12 ounces marinated goat cheese, broken into large chunks
2 to 3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
2 to 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sliced baguette or crackers, for serving
orange marmalade, for serving
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Place the marinated goat cheese and rosemary in a small ovenproof dish. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
Step 3: Once cooked, remove from oven and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground black pepper. Serve with sliced baguette or crackers and orange marmalade.
*hot pepper jelly would also compliment this dish.
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