Cute Thanksgiving Cheese and Crackers Appetizer Inspired by Pumpkin Pie
It’s that time – time for all things pumpkin pie! While pumpkin pie is a beloved staple on the holiday table, why not add a fun twist to your appetizer spread this year? Today, we are featuring a clever cheese and crackers platter that mimics the look of a classic pumpkin pie! Let’s slice up how to take this fun Thanksgiving cheese and crackers to your table this year!
With vibrant colors, rich flavors, and a touch of fun, this pumpkin pie-inspired cheese and crackers creation is sure to be a conversation starter and a hit at your Thanksgiving gathering!
Ingredients
- 7 large crackers (bonus if you can find crackers already in a triangle shape; in not, you can cut square crackers)
- 13 ounces’ cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp. cream cheese
This recipe only requires 3 ingredients. But you have to be careful with the selection of the three ingredients.The cheddar should be classic, deep orange so that it mimics the pumpkin filling.
When choosing a cracker, choose a large, rectangular, neutral-flavored one without too many extra flavorings. We like to use the Private Selection sea salt buttermilk crackers from Kroger. They come in a nice square shape. The Manischewitz Unsalted Manos crackers offer a very neutral base for this cute Thanksgiving cheese and crackers appetizer. For a gluten-free cracker, you can try the Yehuda Matzo-Style Squares – although we have never used these so we can’t vouch for how they will turn out. Keep in mind the size of the crackers you use will determine the overall size of your “pumpkin pie.”
You will need very little cream cheese. Do not use cheese with extra flavorings. To mimic the whipped cream on a pumpkin pie, you will want a true white cream cheese.
Tips and Process for Our Thanksgiving Cheese and Crackers
1. Gather the three supplies along with a cutting board.
2. Listen. If you have ever had to cut crackers, then you know that it is not easy at all. The cracker cracks and chips in the wrong places. You will crumble some, break some, and maybe even eat some. (Just kidding – please don’t eat while you prepare food for others!) Gather a sharp knife, preferably a ceramic one, and hold the blade perpendicular to the table, not tilting it at an angle. In order to make cutting easier and reduce losses due to defective products, spray the cracker with water from a spray bottle before cutting (a little, just slightly moisten) or wrap it briefly in a damp towel. From one cracker you will get 2 isosceles triangles. You need 7 such triangles. From the remaining crackers, cut strips of 0.7 * 2 inches – 7 pieces. 2. Cut cheddar cheese into 1/2-inch squares. Place cracker triangles on top of the cheese and cut out cheesy triangles. Simply, trace around with your knife.
3. Place cream cheese in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe a small amount of cheese down the center of the graham cracker triangle and spread a small amount down the length of the graham cracker strip. This allows the cream cheese to act as an adhesive, helping to hold the cracker to the cheese.
4. Place cheddar cheese on the cracker triangles. Press a cracker strip around the edge to resemble a cut-off portion of pumpkin pie. Finish with a cream cheese dab to look like whipped cream.
Serve on a rustic wooden board. If desired, sprinkle with fresh or dried herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra flavor. You can top the appetizer with honey or maple syrup. You can experiment with different types of crackers – whole grain, seeded, or buttery – to complement the cream cheese mixture.
This is Thanksgiving cheese and crackers appetizer is an easy crowd-pleaser with minimal prep time! This light, elegant appetizer adds a playful, unexpected twist to your Thanksgiving table. From afar, it resembles traditional pumpkin pie, but it is actually classic cheese and crackers. This is such a fun Thanksgiving appetizer for us kids to help with! Try it out, and see!
Happy Thanksgiving! Be sure to swing over and check out our Nutter Butter turkey cupcakes for a fun Thanksgiving dessert!
Crackers and Cheese “Pumpkin Pie” Thanksgiving Appetizer
Ingredients
- 7 Crackers large rectangles
- 6 oz Cheddar cheese 7 slices (squares)
- 2 tbsp Cream cheese
Instructions
- With a sharp knife, hold the blade perpendicular to the table, not tilting it at an angle. In order to make cutting easier and reduce losses due to defective products, spray the cracker with water from a spray bottle before cutting (a little, just slightly moisten) or wrap it briefly in a damp towel. From one cracker you will get 2 isosceles triangles. Keep cutting until you have 7 triangles,
- From the remaining crackers, cut 7 straight strips of crackers – long enough to serve as the back crust of the "pie slices".
- Place cracker triangles on top of the cheese and cut out 7 cheesy triangles, using the crackers at the template.
- Place cream cheese in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe a small amount of cheese down the center of the cracker triangle and spread a small amount down the length of the graham cracker strip.
- Place cheddar cheese on the cracker triangles. Press a cracker strip around the back edge to finish off the look of a pie slice with a back crust. Finish with a cream cheese rose in the center of each slice – like you would see (whipped cream) on served slices of pumpkin pie.
- Serve on a charcuterie or wooden cheese board.
