How to make a Perfect Holiday Cheese Board

A Holiday Cheese Board is one of the easiest and most welcoming things you can set out for your guests during this festive season. So why do so many of us get so overwhelmed? Which cheeses should you choose for a holiday cheese tray? And how do you make it look pretty?

Fear not, my friends. I used to break a full sweat when creating cheese boards. But with a little bit of planning and visualization, you can make a Perfect Holiday Cheese Board that you’ll be proud of.

Our Christmas dinners always start with a cheese board. I try not to go overboard with appetizers on Christmas because of the massive dinner that’s ahead. Our go-to starters on Christmas Day are bacon-wrapped shrimp, stuffed mushrooms and a Holiday Cheese Board.

I’ll set everything out by the tree so that everyone can graze at their leisure while unwrapping gifts and playing our annual White Elephant game. It’s fun to create different flavor combinations with the various crackers and breads, cheeses and jams. No two bites need ever be alike!

The Firm Cheeses

Aged Gouda

The first thing I’m going for on any winter time cheese tray is the aged Gouda. I’m just a sucker for that sharp, nutty flavor, fudge-like texture and those salty crystals.

Beemster’s Paradiso is my absolute favorite. If you can’t find Paradiso, anything from Beemster is a solid bet.

Pecorino Romano

You may only associate Pecorino Romano with the kind you grate over pasta or pizza. But I really love slicing it into wedges in the winter time and drizzling it with honey, or taking it in the same bite as a praline pecan.

As satisfying as it is grated over a big bowl of pasta is as indulgent as it is when you enjoy it by the slice.

Cave-Aged Gruyere

Speaking of indulgent, a cave-aged Gruyere is a must around the holidays, and all winter long. I use this cheese so much during the colder months.

It melts beautifully onto grilled sandwiches and into mac and cheese, and it’s especially lovely when served in it’s simplest form – atop a buttery cracker with a bit of whole grain mustard. The best!

The Soft Cheeses

Brie

A Holiday Cheese Board wouldn’t be complete without a creamy brie. Brie really gets a chance to shine during the holidays, as it pairs so beautifully with other seasonal flavors like cranberry and candied nuts.

Depending on the brie you choose, you’ll get a mild, buttery flavor or something more earthy, mushroomy and borderline stinky, like this Moses Sleeper you see here. If you like a more complex cheese, this is the one for you.

Camembert

For something more classically French, there’s Camembert. It’s that little disc of cheese you see here, topped with fresh persimmon and pomegranate arils.

So smooth, creamy and luscious, it’s ideal to spread onto fresh baguette slices and a gorgeous companion for seasonal fruits. My favorite is Le Pico.

Goat Cheese

And speaking of seasonal fruits, how can we not include a cranberry-wrapped goat cheese on a Holiday Cheese Board? In fact, it may be the only time of year when it’s a good idea.

It’s certainly the least fancy of all the players on the field, but what it lacks in sophistication it makes up for in festiveness. Even your least foodie friend will enjoy it, as it’s a mild flavor with a touch of sweetness that everyone can get into.

How to Assemble the Perfect Holiday Cheese Board

First, anchor your cheeses to the board. For interest, cut the firm cheeses into slices, wedges and cubes. Leave the soft cheeses intact.

Next, place any containers of jams, honey, nuts or candies down. For this Holiday Cheese Board, I used chocolate-covered espresso beans, raw honey and fig jam.

Then, arrange crackers, flatbreads and baguette slices on the board. Have fun with various shapes and textures.

Finally, fill in the remaining negative space with seasonal fruits and herbs for pops of color. On this board, you’ll find persimmons, cranberries, pomegranate and red grapes.

Building this Holiday Cheese Board is only half the fun. The other half is actually eating it! So open a few bottles of wine, set out your beautiful creation and let the celebrations begin.

And when you make your own board, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy!

For more holiday appetizer ideas, try these:

• Apple Butter Baked Brie Puff Pastry Twists
• Cranberry Brie Tartlets using Crescent Rolls
• Polenta Rounds with Pesto Chicken & Roasted Red Peppers

For more cheese boards, try these:

• Harvest Cheese Board
• Springtime Cheese Board
• Summertime Cheese Board