3 Easy Cheesy Appetizers to Serve During the Holidays
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: December 12, 2014

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.