Elevate Your Holiday Table with Cheese this Holiday Season

Kerry Jerred
Oct 29
3 min read

Updated: Oct 30

Creating beautiful, cheesy Holiday appetizers is not just about the cheese; it’s about crafting an experience that delights the senses.

Brie cheese cut out surrounded by red jam

Brie Cut-Out

For festive occasions, I enjoy using my Brie cookie cutter technique, which adds an elegant touch to any cheese platter. This method is not only simple but also allows for a creative presentation that can impress your guests. To start, you will want to place the Brie in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes. This step is crucial, as it helps to firm up the cheese slightly, making it less likely to stick to the cookie cutter. When selecting your Brie, opt for a round, firm, and young variety. The ideal Brie should have a smooth rind and a creamy interior that will hold its shape during the cutting process.

Once your Brie has firmed up in the freezer. Next, take your chosen cookie cutter—this could be a simple round shape, or you might opt for something festive like a star, Christmas tree or heart, depending on the occasion. Carefully position the cookie cutter on the Brie and press down firmly, making sure to cut all the way through the cheese.

After you’ve pressed the cookie cutter into the Brie, carefully lift it away. You should now have a perfectly shaped round piece of Brie with a delightful cut-out in the middle. The cut-out piece can be set aside, and you can use it creatively in your presentation. For example, you might arrange the cut-out shape beside the main Brie piece on your serving board, creating a visually appealing contrast.

To enhance the aesthetic appeal further, consider garnishing your cheese board with various accompaniments such as fresh fruits, a selection of nuts, honey, or artisan crackers can provide delightful flavor pairings that elevate the overall experience. You can also add herbs or edible flowers for a touch of elegance.

Cranberry Orange Quick Bread with Brie Slices and

Balsamic Vinegar Drizzle

Bread can be homemade or a mix. Not too crumbly or it will fall apart when folks try to pick it up. See bread recipe

Cranberry Orange Bread with Brie and Cranberry Balsamic Vinegar

Choose a nice creamy brie, like a triple crème. We want the Brie to have the mouthfeel of butter. Think bread and butter! Portion a slice of the bread into approximately 2-inch segments and place a slice of brie on top. This can be done ahead, wrapped and refrigerated. Drizzle with aged balsamic (reduction) at serving time. Top with dried cranberries or chopped pecans if you like.

Chocolate Cups with Blue Cheese

Pre-made or home made chocolate cups. Can use store bought peanut butter cups.
Creamy Blue cheese such as Roth buttermilk Blue or Point Reyes Original Blue
Drizzle of honey
Pomegranate arils or other sweet decoration like dried cherries

Fill or top each cup with 1 tablespoon blue cheese. Sprinkle with sweet decoration and drizzle with honey. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator

Brie Brûlée

1.Heat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet

with aluminum foil.

2. Combine turbinado sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

3. Cut Brie with a sharp knife around the top rind edges. Peel away rind to expose the cheese. Place Brie on prepared pan. Sprinkle with sugar mixture.

4. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until softened. Broil 3-4 inches from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until sugar is caramelized. Cool for 3-4 minutes, allowing the caramelized layer to harden.

5. Transfer Brie to a serving platter. Top with toasted nuts or chutney. Fill in platter with fruits, chocolates, cookies and crackers.

Festive Goat Cheese Balls

Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, shape softened fresh Chevre into small balls, about the diameter of a quarter. Roll in toasted pecan, chopped dried red fruit and decorate with a bit of green herbs(chives, rosemary, sage, parsley...). Refrigerate immediately to save the shape. If the balls got really sticky when rolling, might want to refrigerate and reroll before adding the nuts, fruit and herb.

Sugared Cranberries

Roll fresh and firm cranberries in chilled simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar warmed until sugar dissolves, then chilled). Lay them on a cooling rack that has been paced over a baking sheet. Make sure they do not touch and allow to dry for 1 hour. Roll dried, but still sticky cranberries in granulated sugar. Can add edible glitter or other edible decorations to the sugar.