Autumn Ember Cheese Apples (Print View)

Smoked paprika cheeses paired with red-fleshed apples create a vibrant, fall-inspired appetizer showcasing bold flavors.

# Components:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5.3 oz Manchego cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 5.3 oz aged cheddar, cut into 1-inch cubes

→ Spices & Seasonings

03 - 2 tsp smoked paprika (sweet or hot as preferred)
04 - 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt

→ Fruits

05 - 2 medium red-fleshed apples (such as Hidden Rose or Pink Pearl), cored and cut into wedges

→ Garnish

06 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)

→ Accompaniments

07 - Artisan crackers or rustic bread (optional, for serving)

# Directions:

01 - Place the Manchego and aged cheddar cubes evenly in a shallow serving dish or platter.
02 - Sprinkle smoked paprika over the cheese cubes and toss gently to ensure all sides are coated uniformly.
03 - Lightly dust the cheese with flaky sea salt for enhanced flavor.
04 - Arrange the cored and wedged red-fleshed apples between and around the cheese cubes, creating a scattered ember effect.
05 - Optionally, sprinkle fresh thyme leaves atop the arrangement to add herbal aroma and visual contrast.
06 - Present immediately alongside artisan crackers or rustic bread, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours preparing when honestly it takes twenty minutes and zero cooking.
  • The smoked paprika brings this warm, mysterious depth that makes people lean in and ask what they're tasting.
  • You can make it entirely ahead and just arrange everything minutes before guests arrive, so you're actually relaxed when people show up.
02 -
  • Those red-fleshed apples will oxidize and turn brown if you don't get them on the platter close to serving time—I learned this the hard way at a dinner party where I prepped everything an hour early.
  • The quality of your cheese really matters here because there's nowhere to hide; don't grab the cheapest aged cheddar you can find, taste it first if possible.
03 -
  • If you're making this ahead, cube your cheeses and store them covered in the fridge, then do all the final assembly—apples, paprika, salt, thyme—right before you serve.
  • Try mixing cheeses: instead of just aged cheddar, use a combination of sharp cheddar and something creamy like a young Gouda to add dimension and surprise people's expectations.
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