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This Snowman Cheese Board Is the Best Idea for a Holiday Party Appetizer
Updated on Dec. 02, 2021
It’s safe to say that we’re obsessed with cheese boards right now. When you’re hosting for the holidays, it can be tough to set up a spread of homemade snacks. Between Christmas shopping, wrapping presents and shoveling the sidewalk, who has time left to prep for a holiday party?!
It’s @TheBakerMama and her beautiful cheese boards to the rescue.
We Love This Beautiful Board
@TheBakerMama, aka Maegan Brown is the author of the cookbook Beautiful Boards and shares all her gorgeous board inspirations on Instagram. And now, she built the most adorable Christmas snack tray of the season. It includes crackers, popcorn, blueberries, cheese wheels and more, all in the shape of a cheerful snowman.
Let’s give Maegan some love for this adorable creation!
View this post on Instagram
Find more ideas for making easy winter cheese boards.
How to Make Your Own Version
Do you want to build a snowman? Of course you do! Here’s a closer look at the ingredients Maegan used in her cheese board, so you can recreate it at home:
- Snowman: Maegan reports using a 4-inch round Brie, a 3-inch round Camembert and a 2-inch round chèvre spreadable goat cheese to create the snowman shape. The eyes, mouth and buttons are blueberries, and the nose is a baby carrot.
- Snowman’s Hat: That is a cracker with 7-8 darker crackers stacked on top. In the past, Maegan has used red beet crackers from Trader Joe’s.
- Snowman’s Scarf & Arms: For the scarf, she twisted two salami sticks like this together. She also used two salami sticks for the arms, but you could just as easily use pretzels.
To complete the scene, surround your snowman with fresh blueberries and snow-colored snacks. Carefully arrange the crackers, nuts, popcorn, biscotti and anything else you can find around your frosty main character. Then, nestle in a small dish of homemade jam and honey. Learn how to make our most impressive holiday cheese board.
Maegan says in her Instagram post: “I love giving y’all the inspiration and seeing you make it your own with the ingredients you and your loved ones would enjoy most.” So, go wild! Need more appetizers? Our collection of easy Christmas appetizers are perfect for the holidays!
Find More Apps for Your Holiday Spread
This is one of my favorite easy hors d'oeuvres. We have lots of pig roasts here in Kentucky, and these small sandwiches are perfect to serve while the pig is roasting. —Rebecca Rose, Mount Washington, Kentucky
Cranberry Endive Hors d'OeuvresYou can pack a lot of flavor into elegant hors d'oeuvres just by using the right combination of ingredients. I created this blue cheese filling for a holiday gathering and everyone loved it. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
Meatballs with Chimichurri SauceThis South American condiment, featuring fresh cilantro and parsley, is more than just a sauce for tossing with meatballs. You’ll want plenty for extra dipping. —Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, British Columbia
Cheese-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes"They're easy to fix as an appetizer or salad," says Mary Lou, a Florida native. "It's impossible to eat just one."
Brie Appetizers with Bacon-Plum JamAmong my friends I'm known as the pork master, because I love to cook just about every cut there is. These appetizers combine soft, mild Brie cheese with a sweet-sour bacon jam that has a touch of Sriracha sauce. —Rick Pascocello, New York, New York. Here are a few tips for making baked brie with jam.
Cranberry-Fig Goat Cheese CrostiniThe blend of flavors in the crostini makes for absolutely scrumptious hors d'oeuvres. —Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Cheese Puffs"I found this recipe in one of my mother’s old cookbooks and updated the flavor by adding cayenne and mustard," recalls Jamie Wetter of Boscobel, Wisconsin. "Tasty and quick for this busy season, these tender, golden puffs go together in minutes and simply disappear at parties!"
Sweet Pea PestoI made a healthier spin on pea pesto by subbing in vegetable broth for some of the oil and going easy on the cheese. For use on pasta, add more broth for a saucelike consistency. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Asparagus WrapsAsparagus makes lovely finger food, especially wrapped in pastry and tasty filling. Easily assembled, it’s perfect for weeknight noshing or something a little fancier for entertaining. —Linda Hall, Evington, Virginia
Rosemary Veal MeatballsThese savory appetizer meatballs, seasoned with rosemary and garlic, get a touch of sweetness from chopped golden raisins. They will be a hit at your next gathering. —Rhonda Maiani, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Deviled EggsOnce you know how to make deviled eggs, you will wonder why you have not been making them for every potluck and backyard barbecue. They are so easy!
Pumpkin PinwheelsCream cheese, mozzarella and roasted red peppers make these pumpkin-shaped pinwheels devilishly delicious. They were a hit at my last Halloween party. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California
Artichoke Phyllo CupsI wanted to create a bite-sized version of rich, creamy artichoke dip. These adorable phyllo cup appetizers were a total success! —Neel Patel, Champaign, Illinois
Crumb-Topped ClamsIn my family, it wouldn't be Christmas Eve without baked clams. They're easy to make and always a hit. —Annmarie Lucente, Monroe, New York
Shrimp Salad AppetizersThese refreshing hors d'oeuvres have gained a big following since a friend shared her family recipe with me. My son says it best: The celery and shrimp are so good together. —Solie Kimble, Kanata, Ontario
Seafood-Stuffed MushroomsEver since I found this hors d'oeuvres recipe in a magazine years ago, these seafood-stuffed mushrooms have been making my family and friends merry every Christmas. —Harriet Stichter, Milford, Indiana
Grilled Nectarine & Cheese CrostiniAt our house, we love the summer tastes of sweet grilled nectarines and fresh basil over goat cheese. I can usually find all the ingredients at the farmers market. —Brandy Hollingshead, Grass Valley, California
Bacon-Wrapped SmokiesThese bacon-wrapped smokies are a delightful blend of savory and sweet and are a breeze to prepare. Perfect for a tailgate or party, they are sure to be a hit and you'll be amazed at how easy they are to make.
Brie-Leek TartletsMy family is picky, but everyone loves these little bites. I make dozens of them at a time because they're gone the second I turn my back. —Colleen MacDonald, Port Moody, British Columbia. Check out this quick and easy pumpkin baked brie recipe.
Smoked Pimiento Cheese CrostiniPimiento cheese has long been a favorite in our family, so these bite-sized hors d'oeuvres are a treat! I add Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce to give them a little kick. Caramelized onions create another layer of flavor. You can make the cheese and onions three to five days in advance; they store well. If you need to save time, you can use premade jalapeno pimiento cheese. —Caitlyn Bunch, Trenton, Georgia
Pesto PinwheelsIt's not a party without a basket of pesto pinwheels. The delectable hand-held appetizer is filled with basil, Parmesan and a sprinkle of sweet peppers.
Air-Fryer Bacon-Wrapped AsparagusI serve this air-fryer bacon-wrapped asparagus with grilled meat and sliced fresh tomatoes for a wonderful meal. —Trisha Kitts, Dickinson, Texas
Mushroom Puff Pastry Hors d'OeuvresThese mushroom puff pastry bites make the perfect finger food. I even freeze them for a quick appetizer for unexpected guests. — Marion Ruzek, Jeffersonville, Indiana
Shrimp Tart Hors d'OeuvresFill mini tart shells with a cream cheese mixture, then top with seafood sauce and shrimp for a picture-perfect look and delightful taste. This recipe makes a fantastic appetizer, and several make a fast, light meal. —Gina Hutchison, Smithville, Missouri
Bacon Cream Cheese PinwheelsIt's hard to resist a crescent roll, bacon and cream cheese in one bite! Kids, friends, everyone will scarf these cream cheese pinwheels down. Now I bake a double batch whenever we have a get-together. —Krista Munson, Sharpsburg, Kentucky
Pork SatayThis easy pork satay recipe combines savory, sweet and spiced flavors with a rich peanut sauce. Whether you’re hosting or craving something special, this dish is sure to impress.
Spinach Artichoke Stuffed MushroomsHow do you lighten up spinach artichoke dip? Use it to fill mushroom cups instead of dredging bread into it. The result is an easy vegetarian party appetizer.
Crisp Caraway Twist Hors d'OeuvresThis appetizer is always a hit when I serve it on holidays or special occasions. The flaky cheese-filled twists (made with convenient puff pastry) bake to a crispy golden brown. When our big family gets together, I make two batches of these hors d'oeuvres. —Dorothy Smith, El Dorado, Arkansas
Caprese SkewersLight, satisfying and healthful in one impossibly easy-to-make dish? Yes, please! Enjoy these Caprese skewers as an app, side dish—truly perfect paired with grilled meat or poultry—or a convenient snack. Every bite is a little taste of summer.
Sausage Chive PinwheelsThese spirals are simple to make but look special on a buffet. Our guests eagerly help themselves—sometimes the eye-catching pinwheels don't even make it to their plates! —Gail Sykora, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Chicken Piccata MeatballsThe classic chicken piccata entree is my favorite dish, but I wanted another way to have all the same flavors. These chicken piccata meatballs are the perfect solution, whether served alone or with a sauce like marinara or buffalo! Serve over buttered noodles if you'd like, or stick toothpicks in them for appetizers. —Dawn Collins, Rowley, Massachusetts
Crab Wonton CupsThese tasty little crab tarts make excellent appetizers served warm and crispy from the oven. You can add them to your list of holiday hors d'oeuvres as well. They're true crowd-pleasers. —Connie McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware
Brie Cherry Pastry Cup Hors d'OeuvresGolden brown and flaky, these bite-sized puff pastries with creamy Brie and sweet cherry preserves could easily double as a scrumptious dessert. —Marilyn McSween, Mentor, Ohio
Prosciutto Shrimp with Tropical Mango SalsaProsciutto and melon are a quintessential pairing. I took things a few steps further by adding an assortment of other fresh ingredients, including mango, pineapple and papaya. Finally, add shrimp and you’ve got yourself one tasty starter. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
Ham and Cheese PuffsThese tasty little bites go over well with kids. They're also delicious with soups or as party appetizers. —Mrs. Marvin Buffington, Burlington, Iowa
Chive Crab CakesThese tasty crab cakes are perfect for appetizers, or try them with a salad for a light meal. —Cindy Worth, Lapwai, Idaho
Stuffed Mini PeppersLooking for a tasty snack or quick appetizer? Try these stuffed mini peppers with a mouthwatering filling of cream cheese, chives and fresh broccoli.
Puff Pastry Christmas PalmiersPalmiers (pronounced palm-YAY) come from France. They're usually sweet, but to make them savory, I swirl in pesto, feta and sundried tomatoes. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Cranberry Brie Pecan PinwheelsThis recipe is a twist on baked Brie. My family always requests these during the holidays. They are delicious and make the kitchen smell amazing! —Jacquie Franklin, Hot Springs, Montana
Teriyaki Salmon BundlesIf you're bored with the same old appetizers, give this one a try. I serve the little salmon bundles on skewers for easy dipping. Standing the skewers in a small vase filled with table salt creates a festive presentation. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Crab Phyllo CupsI always like a dot of chili sauce on top of these easy hors d'oeuvres. If you're out of crab, try them with water-packed tuna. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
