Cream Cheese Board with Cranberry-Rosemary Compote and Toasted Walnuts

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Wanting to hop on the viral TikTok butter board bandwagon, but like the idea of a slightly lighter spread? This entertaining recipe for a cream cheese board makes for a quick and easy appetizer that’s perfect for all of your holiday cooking needs — and it’s a delicious Thanksgiving appetizer or vegetarian appetizer to feed a crowd.

Pairing cream cheese with a cranberry-rosemary compote and toasted walnuts puts a festive, autumnal twist on this popular food trend. Stay tuned for more creative, dairy-filled takes on viral food trends from Half & Half, DFA’s magazine celebrating dairy and those who make it.

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Cream Cheese Board with Cranberry-Rosemary Compote and Toasted Walnuts
Start to finish: Active: 20 minutes | Inactive: 1 hour
Impresses: 4–8

Ingredients

For the cranberry-rosemary compote:
1½ cups fresh cranberries
1 sprig rosemary, stem removed and leaves finely chopped
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup orange juice
½ teaspoon orange or lime zest
Kosher salt, to taste

For the toasted walnuts:
1 teaspoon butter, melted
½ cup whole walnuts
Kosher salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

For the cream cheese board:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
1–2 sprigs rosemary for garnish, optional

Method

For the compote:
Place cranberries, rosemary, sugar, orange juice and zest in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Stir often with a silicone spatula. Simmer for 7–9 minutes until cranberries have mostly broken down and liquid has reduced.

 Add salt to taste. Finished compote should be thick enough that it sticks to a spoon. Allow to cool completely. This step is important, as placing toppings that have not cooled will melt the cream cheese.

For the toasted walnuts:
Melt butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Toss walnuts in butter, salt and pepper. Heat a small, nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Place walnuts in skillet in a single layer. Toast for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool completely and chop walnuts into small pieces.

To assemble cream cheese board:
For easier cleanup, cut a piece of parchment paper smaller than the space you expect your cream cheese will take up on the board. Don’t worry, you won’t be able to see the parchment paper.

Spread cream cheese across your serving board and shape with the back of a lightly buttered spoon to avoid sticking. Be sure to cover the edges of the parchment paper.

Carefully spread the cranberry-rosemary compote (or drop by the spoonful) on top of the cream cheese, being sure not to mix the two. Scatter toasted walnuts on top. Garnish with 1–2 rosemary sprigs, if desired.

Pairs well with crackers, pita chips and pretzel thins.

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Butter Board Tips

  • Use any type of board or serving tray you already have

  • Line with parchment paper for easier cleanup

  • Use any type of cream cheese or spreadable cheese your heart desires — there are no rules!

  • Imperfection is key — adding texture to your cream cheese and scattering your toppings in an imperfect fashion will look better. Trust the process!

  • Use a mix of sweet and salty, soft and crunchy, toppings

    • If you only need a little bit of an ingredient that’s pricy, check the salad bar

    • Meat isn’t mandatory

  • Offer a variety of dippers. This recipe pairs well with crackers, pita chips and pretzel thins or graham crackers, depending on your toppings