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The holidays are here again, and there’s nothing quite like a festive cheeseboard to elevate your gatherings and events. While traditional cheeseboards often focus on cow’s milk cheeses, this year, why not try something a little different? Goat cheese offers a fantastic range of flavors and textures, from tangy and fresh to rich and decadent.

Here’s how to assemble a cheeseboard that uses goat cheese to stand apart, and a few cheeseboard recipes to make things easy. Don’t worry; assembling a stand-out cheese board is probably one of the easiest appetizers or sides that you’ll make this holiday season.

What Goes into the Best Cheeseboards

A good cheeseboard starts with good cheeses, but they should be paired with complementary treats. Here’s what makes a truly unforgettable spread:

Cheeses

Most cheeseboards have an odd number of cheeses, with 3 and 5 different types being common. Ensure there’s a good variety of different types. People can find something they like, and have fun trying different pairings.

As a starting point, you can always choose three cheeses from different types of milk (goat, cow and sheep) and different regions. That’s a simple way to make sure you have at least a few diverse offerings.

Another way to build variety is with cheese that has herbs or other additions mixed in. You can even create a themed board but create variety this way.

For example, you could create a goat cheese board from the different cheeses that Cypress Grove makes. A board with Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese, Meyer Lemon and Honey Goat Cheese, and Psychedillic would have a standard, sweet and savory cheese. You could further round this out with the Sgt. Pepper Goat Cheese (spicy) and Truffle Tremor (earthy), for something quite different.

Creating diversity within a single cheese category is always an option, but it’s especially useful if ordering online. You can combine multiple cheeses from the same cheesemaker to save on shipping, but still have good diversity on your board.

Something Sweet

At least one sweet item should be on every cheese board, and sweets can taste particularly good if you have a couple of tangy cheeses (e.g. goat cheese or feta).

For a general guideline, have 1-2 fewer sweets than you do cheeses. Just 1 or 2 sweet additions are perfect for a 3-cheese cheeseboard. With five cheeses, add another sweet item.

Fruits can make a perfect sweet component for your boards.

Something Savory

Including something savory will balance out the sweetness, either of your sweet addition or a sweet cheese (e.g. honey goat cheese).

Again, aim for 1-2 fewer savory items than you have cheeses. Just 1 or 2 savories are perfect for a 3-cheese cheeseboard and an extra savory if doing a 5-cheese board.

Cured meats can make a delicious, savory addition!

Something Crunchy

A crunchy item isn’t for flavor balance and cheese pairing but rather for texture. All cheeses are smooth and soft to some extent. A crunchy item gives your board some literal bite rather than the metaphorical bite of a sharp goat or cheddar cheese.

Nuts are a classic crunchy item to add. You can either leave them plain or use sugared nuts to double them up as a sweet and crunchy addition.

Crackers

Don’t forget crackers to put the cheese on. No one wants to be getting cheese on their fingers.

Crackers can range from the basic Wheat Thin or Triscuit, to your fanciest multi-seed crackers. You can also add some sweet or savoriness by using both plain and flavored crackers. Be sure to have at least some plain, as plain is the most versatile when pairing with different cheeses.

(Crackers add some crunch, but your board will be even more diverse if you have another crunchy item alongside them.)

Garnish

For a final touch, add some garnish around the board. These could be sprigs of herbs, cranberries, or any other little edibles that you like.

The Display

Cheeseboards are as much show as they are flavor. You ideally have a fancy cutting board or charcuterie board to put everything on. If you don’t, a plate and a couple of small dishes will work just fine for a cheese platter. If using a plate, add some colored toothpicks for a bit of pop.

Spread the cheese and other additions out around the board. This will create visual interest and ensure people can easily pair things together.

(Selecting a Charcuterie Board: Look for a cherry, walnut or maple board if you want an affordable and good-looking option. Some oak woods have open pores, and aren’t suitable for getting wet. Olive wood is beautiful, but olive wood boards tend to be smaller and much more expensive.)

3 Easy Holiday Cheeseboard Recipes

The Basics

A basic cheeseboard is quick and easy to put together, making it perfect for small get-togethers or as a last-minute dish. Keeping it basic doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun.

Why it works: The cheeses are tangy and sweet, and each has a fairly strong flavor. The diversity and stronger flavors help when pairings are somewhat minimal. Apple slices are both crunchy and sweet — sprinkle them with lemon juice to prevent browning. Almond-stuffed olives will add some saltiness without overpowering the cheeses, and you can grab Wheat Things anywhere. They’re less crumbly than Triscuits.

The Festive

Why it works: There are lots of festive colors, namely red and green, in this spread. The cranberries and pomegranates are especially appropriate for the season, and port wine cheese adds something a little exotic. Get one that’s encrusted with nuts to add another crunchy item without actually putting another side pairing on the board.

The Smorgasbord

A large cheeseboard lets you get creative with unique variety. You can put together quite the smorgasbord of cheeses and pairings.

Why it works: This includes a large variety of familiar tastes and stronger tastes. Everyone will find something they like — and a few people will really like the more exotic items.

Create Cheeseboards This Holiday Season

Whether you’re hosting or going, prepare a cheeseboard for whatever holiday gathering you’re attending this season. Include a couple of goat cheeses, and that’s a good start toward a great board. Start off with the Humboldt Fog, and then add some others as your tastes guide you! There are plenty of goat cheese options here at Cypress Grove. Order online or use our store locator to get your hands on some today! Here’s to a happy — and cheese-filled — holiday season.

Don’t have time to make your own? Try one of our premade kits! We have kits for small and large gatherings. Order today!

 

If you’re looking for a delicious, shareable appetizer to delight and impress your guests, this prosciutto flatbread with goat cheese is perfect. Featuring Cypress Grove’s Humboldt Fog Aged Goat Cheese, this flatbread recipe balances creamy, tangy goat cheese, fresh sliced prosciutto and arugula, and a hint of sweetness from balsamic glaze. Ideal as the centerpiece appetizer at gatherings or for cozy nights at home, this flatbread is an easy, gourmet dish that’s sure to be a hit. The unique blend of goat and sheep flavors in the sheep and goat’s milk cheese provides a comforting depth during colder months.

Ingredients

You’ll Need:

Instructions

Step-By-Step Guide

  1. Preheat Your Oven
    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup. This ensures your flatbreads will bake evenly and have a perfect, crispy base.
  2. Prepare the Flatbreads
    Arrange the naan flatbreads on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush each flatbread with olive oil, adding a subtle richness that enhances each bite.
  3. Add the Goat Cheese
    Crumble the goat cheese evenly over the flatbreads. This type of cheese features a creamy texture melts beautifully, delivering tangy, herbaceous notes with each bite.
  4. Top with Prosciutto
    Layer the sliced prosciutto over the goat cheese, providing a salty counterpoint to the creamy cheese. This prosciutto and arugula pairing creates a balanced flavor profile that is both savory and refreshing.
  5. Bake
    Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges of the flatbread are golden brown and the cheese has softened. Watch closely for a perfect finish.
  6. Add Fresh Toppings
    Remove the flatbreads from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Top with fresh arugula for a peppery bite, and drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired, adding a subtle hint of sweetness that ties all the flavors together.
  7. Garnish and Serve
    For extra flavor, sprinkle red pepper flakes and add shaved Parmesan if desired. Slice the flatbreads into pieces and serve warm for the best flavor.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

Elevate your flatbread recipe with these creative touches:

Why This Prosciutto Flatbread Makes the Perfect Appetizer

This prosciutto flatbread with goat cheese offers a gourmet taste with minimal effort, making it perfect for entertaining:

Final Thoughts on the Prosciutto Flatbread with Goat Cheese

This prosciutto flatbread with goat cheese combines simple, high-quality ingredients to create a memorable, delicious dish sure to please a crowd. Whether gathering with friends and family for the holidays or treating yourself to something special, this flatbread recipe is a versatile and reliable choice. The creamy texture of the goat cheese balances beautifully with the salty prosciutto, while fresh arugula adds a peppery bite, and the balsamic glaze provides just a touch of sweetness.

This appetizer is perfect for casual or formal gatherings, with its elegant appearance and gourmet flavors making it a standout on any appetizer table. For an extra festive touch, pair this flatbread with a light, crisp wine or a sparkling cider to complement the savory and creamy notes of the goat cheese and prosciutto. As an easy-to-prepare yet sophisticated flatbread recipe, it’s sure to become a favorite for holiday celebrations, special occasions, or cozy nights in.

The prosciutto and arugula topping make this a lighter choice than traditional or typical flatbread pizza while still offering an indulgent flavor experience. Add a few personal touches to your prosciutto flatbread, like toasted pine nuts, a sprinkle of shaved Parmesan, or your favorite Cypress Grove aged goat cheese to make the dish your own.

Ready to try Cypress Grove’s selection of gourmet cheeses? Find an array of aged and fresh goat cheeses on our website, or use our store locator to find a retailer near you.

 

Hosting a party soon? Whether it’s a casual get-together with friends or a more formal affair with colleagues, everyone will notice a great spread. Here at Cypress Grove, we wholeheartedly believe that spreadable cheese is essential to any great spread of food.

Charcuterie boards, smorgasbords, hors d’oeuvres, and appetizers–no matter what you call them–they all make good use of a spreadable cheese. This is one addition that can go with virtually anything munchy, is easy to serve on a board or in a bowl, and has wide appeal among guests.

If you’re new to using spreadable goat cheese, here’s a guide on how to incorporate spreadable cheese into almost any spread. We particularly favor goat cheese not just because we like its diverse flavors, but also because goat milk can make cheeses that are more naturally creamy than what some cow and sheep milk cheeses are like.

Using a Trio of Cheeses

When someone asks, “What’s the best spreadable cheese for my party?” Our answer is often a trio of gourmet cheeses. There’s not one best trio, but selecting three different ones will allow guests to explore flavor combinations.

Spreadable goat cheeses all have some similarities, but there can also be great diversity among their flavors. A trio of them will allow you to:

Of course, you can select five or seven if you have a large party. A trio is sufficient to give your guests options, though, and to accomplish everything mentioned above. Only consider more if you have a lot of guests — or if you want a cheese to personally snack on while prepping the hors d’oeuvres.

Selecting 3 Goat Cheeses for Your Party

The trio will work best if it’s made up of quite different cheeses. Three highly similar cheeses won’t offer as much opportunity to experiment with different combinations, nor will they necessarily appeal to guests who might have different preferences. A diverse triplet will best serve your guess.

To that end, there are three main categories of cheese. It’s suggested that you select one from each category.

Fresh Goat Cheeses

Fresh goat cheeses are what most people first picture when they think of goat cheese. These options have a clean flavor and can be somewhat sweet or savory. They’re almost always bright and have a slightly tangy flavor that’s unique to goat milk.

The clean and bright flavor of fresh goat cheese goes well with a wide variety of things. Depending on which you choose, you might serve it alongside:

It’s strongly recommended that you have crackers, crostinis, or something similar right near the cheese. These are fairly spreadable cheeses.

At Cypress Grove, we have a few fresh cheeses to highlight:

Soft-Ripened Spreadable Cheeses

Soft-ripened goat cheeses are perhaps the most complex, and that alone makes them a great addition to your board. The textures include an outside rind, rich creamline and dense inner core. These are still quite spreadable, but you also can simply place them on top of a cracker if you prefer.

Flavors tend to be somewhat more complex too, with each texture bringing a subtly different taste. You’ll still notice the fresh tanginess of goat cheese, but also can get some rich and aromatic flavors from the rind and creamline. Look for earthiness and mushroom notes, complemented by any other additions.

There’s a wealth of soft-ripened cheeses to choose from. Just a couple to consider include:

Aged Goat Cheese

Aged goat cheese, admittedly, is fairly firm and not so spreadable. Alongside two spreadable cheeses, though, these offer very different texture and taste. Putting one on the board can truly round out your cheese selection. You might consider:

Create Your Perfect Spreadable Cheese Trio

Here at Cypress Grove, we have a variety of spreadable cheeses to make sure you have an excellent selection for guests. Choose some of the ones above, or select something else we have. You can never go wrong with a trio of goat cheeses on your board. Cypress Grove makes it easy for you, we offer a variety of bundles, check out our best selling trio today!

We’ve partnered with Goldbelly!

To give you the best ordering experience possible, we’ve partnered with Goldbelly for all of your cheese needs. You’ll be able to order all of your Cypress Grove favorites via their website, and your order will still ship directly from our creamery.

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