Autumn Ember Cheese Apples (Print Version)

Smoked paprika cheeses paired with vibrant red apples create a warm, autumnal appetizer presentation.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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 teaspoons smoked paprika (sweet or hot, as preferred)
04 - ½ teaspoon 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 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (optional)

→ Accompaniments

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

# How to Make It:

01 - Place the Manchego and aged cheddar cubes in a shallow serving dish or platter.
02 - Evenly sprinkle smoked paprika over the cheese cubes, tossing gently to coat all sides.
03 - Lightly dust the cheese with flaky sea salt.
04 - Fan the red-fleshed apple wedges around and between the cheese cubes to create a scattered, ember-like presentation.
05 - Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the arrangement for added aroma and visual contrast.
06 - Serve immediately alongside artisan crackers or rustic bread if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours when you truly spent twenty minutes, which feels like a small kitchen magic trick.
  • The smoked paprika adds this warm, slightly mysterious depth that makes people ask what you did differently with regular cheese.
  • Red-fleshed apples stay firm and don't turn brown quickly, so you can make this ahead without watching the clock.
02 -
  • If you cut the apples too far ahead, toss them with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to keep that beautiful color from fading—I learned this the hard way when a platter went dull thirty minutes before guests arrived.
  • The smoked paprika is what makes this feel intentional and special, so don't use regular paprika; it's a different flavor entirely and the dish loses its soul without that smoky warmth.
03 -
  • If the paprika seems too heavy when you first coat the cheese, remember that it mellows as it sits; a bold first coat becomes perfectly balanced by the time your guests arrive.
  • The real secret is in those red-fleshed apples—they're what elevates this from standard cheese board into something people will remember and ask about later.
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