Top Winter Cheeses for Holiday Cooking
The Coziest Cheeses of Winter: What to Bake, Melt, and Serve
Here’s a roundup of winter’s coziest cheeses—and how to put them to their tastiest use.
1. Baked Brie: The Ultimate Holiday Showstopper
Few things feel more festive than a wheel of brie, soft, melty, and oozing with flavor. Brie d’Amir, a Double Crème French Brie with 60% milk fat, is luxuriously creamy with vegetal, milky notes and a long, buttery finish. It’s perfect for holiday entertaining, and there are countless ways to enjoy it:
- Baked in puff pastry: Wrap brie with cranberries, pecans, and honey—or fig jam, pecans, and rosemary—for a golden, gooey centerpiece.
- Baked without pastry: Simply top a wheel with hazelnut, honey, and garlic, then bake until soft and bubbly—easier prep but just as decadent.
- On a cheese board: Slice open the brie and drizzle with honey, roasted nuts, or fruit preserves for a no-bake holiday appetizer.
Other festive ideas: melt brie into creamy mashed potatoes, use it in savory tarts with caramelized onions, or add it to puff pastry pinwheels for cocktail parties.
2. Raclette: Melt, Scrape, Repeat
Raclette is winter comfort in its purest form. Its name comes from the French racler, meaning “to scrape,” and it’s exactly what you do with this Swiss classic: melt, scrape, and pour over potatoes, bread, or roasted vegetables. Mifroma Swiss Raclette delivers an authentic taste of the Alps, with plain, smoked, green peppercorn, truffle, and 6-month cave-aged options.
Holiday ways to enjoy raclette:
- Melt over roasted or boiled potatoes with pickles and charcuterie for a traditional Swiss-style dinner.
- Top winter vegetable gratins or casseroles for rich, melty flavor.
- Use in baked tarts or savory galettes for festive appetizers.
- Create a raclette evening with friends or family, where everyone scrapes their own cheese over bread, meats, and veggies.
Raclette’s slightly bitter, salty, and creamy profile transforms simple winter ingredients into indulgent, shareable meals.
3. Garlic & Herb Cheese: Quick Winter Upgrades
Sometimes the easiest holiday flavors are the best. Creamy, aromatic spreads like Boursin and Madame Loïk are perfect for last-minute appetizers and quick add-ons to seasonal dishes.
- On fresh bread or crackers: A simple, elegant starter for holiday parties.
- In mashed potatoes or cauliflower puree: Adds richness and herbaceous flavor.
- Dolloped into soups: Instant depth for creamy pumpkin, potato leek, or winter squash soups.
- Mixed into roasted corn or winter vegetable sides: Adds a luxurious finish in minutes.
Boursin’s Garlic & Fine Herbs, with its delicate parsley, chives, and mild garlic, is a versatile way to upgrade everything from finger foods to full holiday meals.
4. Sartori Parmesan: Nutty & Festive Finishing Touch
No winter dish is complete without a little savory Parm. Sartori Parmesan brings sweet, mellow, nutty notes and subtle crystals that elevate both everyday and holiday fare.
Ways to use Parm for the holidays:
- Sprinkle over roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted root vegetables, or mashed potatoes.
- Layer into baked macaroni and cheese, gratins, or savory tarts.
- Add to creamy soups or winter salads with pears, cranberries, or nuts.
- Serve on a holiday appetizer board with charcuterie and winter fruits.
Parm’s versatility means it can appear on everything from appetizers to mains, making it a holiday kitchen hero.
5. Gruyère: The Savory Melt Master
Gruyère adds a refined, nutty elegance to any festive table. Wood River’s Gouda Gruyère fuses Gouda’s smooth caramel sweetness with Gruyère’s rich, nutty depth, aged to perfection with delicate crystals.
Classic holiday uses:
- French onion soup or gratins for cozy, crowd-pleasing dinners.
- Baked quiches or savory tarts for brunches or holiday buffets.
- Melted over roasted vegetables, potatoes, or winter pasta bakes.
- Gruyère-stuffed puff pastry pinwheels for cocktail hour.
Think of it as raclette’s sophisticated cousin—perfect for melting into holiday mains or serving in interactive, shareable dishes.
6. Blue Cheese: Bold, Seasonal, and Indulgent
Blue cheese brings winter drama to your cheese board or holiday table. Rogue River Blue, released each fall, is made from autumn milk and aged 9–11 months. Wrapped in grape leaves soaked in pear liqueur, it boasts a soft, luxurious texture with subtle crunchy crystals and decadent flavor. For a creamier, more approachable option, Saint Agur from France’s Auvergne region delivers buttery smoothness and balanced blue flavor.
Holiday ideas for blue cheese:
- Crumble over winter salads with pears, apples, or figs.
- Add to creamy sauces for roasted meats or vegetables.
- Serve with honey, nuts, and crostini as a festive appetizer.
- Incorporate into stuffed mushrooms, puff pastry bites, or creamy dips.
- Dessert idea: Bake pears with a drizzle of honey and a small crumble of blue cheese—warm, sweet, and tangy, it’s a decadent finale for any holiday meal.
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