Everyone loves Holiday Harvest Spread. The mix of sweet, salty, spicy, creamy and crunchy makes this an irresistible party appetizer. It pairs beautifully with a variety of crackers and its jewel-tone colors make it especially festive. We call it “Harvest Spread” through the fall and “Holiday Spread” during the winter holidays.
Easy holiday appetizer
This simple, crowd-pleasing dish was first introduced to me by my friend Karen Holland and has been a favorite ever since. It’s similar to a cheese ball but served spread-style, which makes it quick to assemble and easy to serve. The bright flavors and festive appearance make it a perfect choice for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s or any fall and winter gathering.
Layered appetizer
The layers combine sweet coconut and apricot preserves with sweet-tart cranberries, zesty green onions and toasty pecans for a delightful contrast to the creamy cream cheese and sharp cheddar. Preparation is easy: grate, mix, toast, chop a bit, and layer. The result looks stunning on a platter and always gets compliments.
How long will this spread last in the refrigerator?
Appetizers made with cream cheese can vary in storage time depending on the most perishable ingredient. Typical cheese-ball-style preparations can last up to 1–2 weeks if all ingredients are shelf-stable, but because this recipe uses fresh green onions and softened dried cranberries, plan on 3–4 days in the refrigerator for best quality and safety.
Ingredient variations
This recipe is forgiving and easy to adapt. Swap pecans for almonds or walnuts, try different cheeses, or add savory elements like garlic or olives if you prefer. Adjust quantities to taste — almost any variation will be well received. Add it to your holiday appetizer lineup and enjoy the compliments.
Enjoy!
Dianna
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Holiday Harvest Spread
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese grated
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup apricot preserves or jam
- 5 green onions sliced (green parts only)
- 1 cup toasted pecans chopped
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
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Combine cream cheese, grated cheddar and coconut and beat until well blended.
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Slice the green parts of the green onions finely. Chop the pecans and toast them in a 400°F oven or in a skillet for about 8 minutes until fragrant but not burned. Place dried cranberries in a bowl, pour 1 cup water over them and microwave for one minute to plump; drain and let cool.
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Spread the cheese mixture on a serving platter. Layer on top in this order: apricot preserves, sliced green onions, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries. Serve with crackers.
Nutrition
originally posted October 27, 2018