Easy Layered Cheese Appetizers

Last Updated May 21st, 2023 at 11:52 pm by Lisa

Gorgeous layered Cheese Appetizers with deli-style sliced cheeses and a creamy filling loaded with chopped nuts and dried fruit. Eat them as a snack or fancy finger food hors d'oeuvres!

Keep the simple ingredients on hand for any potluck or holiday party, and assemble up to a day ahead. People will be fascinated by the elegant stacks, and they are so pretty on charcuterie boards...

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Easy Layered Cheese Appetizers

The best part of this recipe is you can make these cream cheese appetizers any way you want with different flavors!

• 2 packages of deli-style sliced cheese (20 slices total)
• 8 ounces of cream cheese softened (or buy whipped)
• ½ teaspoon hot sauce Tabasco
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• assorted crackers or pita chips

Cheddar Cheese + Cherry Almond Filling

• ¼ cup almonds finely chopped
• ¼ cup dried cherries finely chopped

Sliced Cheeses: Buy good quality sliced cheeses for this recipe, try sharp cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, Colby jack, or even good white cheddar cheese. Sliced gruyere or Monterey jack would also be really good!

Nuts & Dried Fruit: Try different nuts like walnuts, candy pecans, or macadamia nuts. For the dried fruit try raisins, cranberries, pineapple, or mango. Create a flavor combination just for your party! Be sure to use dry-packed tomatoes, and not the ones packed in olive oil.

Pepper Jack Cheese + Sun Dried Tomato Pine Nut Filling

• ¼ cup pine nuts
• ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes (dry pack, not oil packed)

1. In a mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese, sea salt, and hot sauce. Use a hand mixer to get it fluffy. Or use whipped cream cheese if you don't have a hand mixer.
2. Finely chop dried cherries and almonds- important as this helps the mixture spread evenly. Stir in cherries and almonds until well combined or other combinations: sun-dried tomatoes and toasted pine nuts or dried cranberries and pecans etc.
3. On a 12-inch square piece of foil, place two cheese slices side-by-side. Spread 2-3 tablespoons (very thin layer) of the cream mixture across both slices using a small offset spatula or knife.
4. Repeat this four more times. Top with two cheese slices.
5. Carefully fold the foil like a package around the cheese stacks, and seal tightly. Tuck in the fridge overnight or for at least 8 hours to chill and set.
6. When ready to serve, remove foil, and cut in half lengthwise down the middle of each cheese slice, and then crosswise down in neat ¼ inch slices. Serve chilled with assorted crackers on a platter.

If you want to learn how to make your own Sun-Dried Tomatoes at home for this recipe, take a look at my entire recipe post on ideas to dry them at home using either an oven or dehydrator.

More Finger Foods & Easy Appetizers

Pick 3-4 party appetizers matched with a signature drink and the party is on! Select recipes you can make ahead or have prepped and ready to go. Hot appetizers are always a hit, so be sure to bake some Brie and Bacon Palmiers or make Jalapeno Popper Dip that is habit-forming. Holiday Deviled Eggs are a classic and so loved by all topped with sparkling pomegranate seeds and festive rosemary sprigs.

Create a stunning Thanksgiving charcuterie board filled with your favorite sliced meats, different types of cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts, and a few festive and sugary holiday treats for hungry guests on turkey day or anytime during the holiday season! You can serve a Shrimp Cocktail with champagne, which makes the party one to remember. Take a look at my collection of 33+ Thanksgiving Appetizers, for the big feast.

You will savor every scoop of this delicious dessert appetizer, Caramel Apple Dip tastes just like caramel apples!

Set up a Fall Crostini Bar and let guests mix and match flavors on toasted baguette slices (easily done on a baking sheet). Take a crostini toast or two, spread these creamy goat cheese appetizers with a whipped goat or feta cheese, add toppings, and enjoy every scrumptious bite.

Festive Holiday Cheese Balls will be the talk of your party. There are 4 flavors; White Cheddar Rosemary Pomegranate, Pimento Cheese, Garlic Chives Goat-Cheese, and Cranberry Pecan.