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An easy fall fruit tray idea featuring the perfect cheeses to pair with fall fruit! Plus, more fall fruit entertaining ideas featuring fruits and cheeses.
Whenever I'mcomposing a fall fruit tray with cheese, I first-and-foremost take into consideration the occasion at hand, followed by the time of year. In my experience, using seasonal ingredients makes for a more festive platter, and for the fall, I’ve found that apples and pears do nicely.
FALL FRUIT TRAY WITH FRESH FRUITS AND JAMS
USE FALL INSPIRED JAMS
Jams and dried fruits also make wonderful additions to cheese platters, providing both a vibrant in flavor and a contrast in texture. For this platter, in particular, I pulled in quince paste and dried cranberries. If you aren’t down with quince, have no fear — an apple or pumpkin butter, or even a nice spiced pear jam, would make for a lovely on a fall fruit tray. And, regardless of the season, I just can’t seem to resist a scatter of purple grapes, as they pair well with almost all cheeses, and add a great deal of body and height to the platter.
USE FRUIT THAT'S IN SEASON
So, we’ve considered the season, which lead us to our choices in fresh fruit, now let us consider what cheese will pair well with that fruit. Sliced apples and pears are perfect for fall fruit trays as they are in season and look great on a platter. Just be sure to soak them in lemon water and pat them dry before you add them to your platter.
HOW TO KEEP FRUIT FROM DISCOLORING ON A FRUIT TRAY
To do this, simply fill a large bowl with cold water and squeeze the juice of a lemon inside. Add the sliced apples and/or pears, and let them soak for a few minutes.
CHEESE TO PAIR WITH A FALL FRUIT TRAY
A Gruyere, a nice sharp, aged Cheddarand Wensleydale with Cranberries would be absolute perfection alongside a fruit and cheese platter featuring apples and pears. If you can’t handle the idea of fruit in your cheese, nix the Wensleydale and head on over to a nice Goudainstead.
SERVE WITH CRACKERS
The last element to our platter is the crackers. Your crackers should allow the flavor of your selected cheeses to shine, not cover them up. This is not the time for heavily salted, crazy flavored crackers. Instead, choose an assortment of water and stone ground crackers, serve and enjoy.
MOREFALL FRUIT ENTERTAINING IDEAS:
Cinnamon, apples, brie. Yes, please. This is my kind of fall fruit and cheese platter!Baked Briewith cinnamon apples and walnuts is a surefire party hit. Serve it on a platter with cinnamon and sugar dusted toast points.
What says "Helllllo fall," more than pumpkin? Make this easy apple pumpkin butter dessert platterserved with white chocolate and cookies for your next fall party.
Or try this party cheese ball with white cheddar cheese, goat cheese, dried cranberries, almonds, and thyme is perfect for any fall gathering. Serve it on a platter with stoneground crackers, scattered cranberries and almonds.
This fall salad features apples, blue cheese, spinach, bacon,and pecans with a maple-dijon dressing hits the spot every time!
And lastly, you might want to check out this fall-inspired pear salad with honey walnuts, goat cheese, and a perfect apricot balsamic dressing.
And for even more entertaining ideas from The Anthony Kitchen, you might want to check this out!
Cool Weather Cheese & Fruit Platter
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Ideas for serving the perfect cheese platter in the fall and winter!
Course:Appetizer
Cuisine:American
Keyword:Cheese and Fruit Platter
Servings: 16 Servings
Calories: 251 kcal
Author: Kelly Anthony
Ingredients
- 1Apples
- 1Pears
- 2cupsGrapes
- ½cupDried Cranberries
- ⅓cupJam(such as apple, pear, or quince)
- 8ouncesGruyere
- 8ouncesAged White Cheddar
- 4ouncesWensleydale with Cranberries
- 1 ½cupPlain Water Crackers
- 1 ½cupStoneground Wheat Crackers
Nutrition Facts
Cool Weather Cheese & Fruit Platter
Amount Per Serving
Calories 251Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 38mg13%
Sodium 263mg11%
Potassium 125mg4%
Carbohydrates 22g7%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 11g22%
Vitamin A 312IU6%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 307mg31%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Would pair well with:
Buttery White Wine, such as Chardonnay
Light Red Wine, such as Pinot Noir
As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of food pairing, particularly when it comes to cheeses and fruits, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience that spans various occasions and seasons. Crafting the perfect cheese and fruit platter is an art that requires a deep understanding of flavor profiles, seasonal ingredients, and the interplay between textures and tastes.
The evidence of my expertise lies in the meticulous consideration I give to each element in a fall fruit tray. Seasonality is a key factor, as using fresh, in-season ingredients contributes to the vibrancy and festivity of the platter. Apples and pears, with their crisp textures and autumnal flavors, take center stage during the fall.
Incorporating jams and dried fruits is another layer of complexity that I've mastered. Quince paste and dried cranberries, chosen for this specific platter, provide both a burst of flavor and a delightful contrast in texture. My versatility is evident in the suggestion to substitute quince with apple or pumpkin butter or a spiced pear jam, showcasing a deep understanding of flavor pairings.
Addressing the concern of fruit discoloration demonstrates my practical approach. Soaking sliced apples and pears in lemon water is a technique I advocate to maintain freshness and visual appeal.
When it comes to cheese selection, I recommend a Gruyere, a sharp aged Cheddar, and Wensleydale with Cranberries to accompany apples and pears. My nuanced advice extends to those who may prefer a fruit-free cheese platter, suggesting a switch to a nice Gouda.
The expertise extends to the final element – crackers. Opting for a variety of water and stone-ground crackers, rather than overpowering the cheese with heavily salted or flavored options, showcases an understanding of balance.
The article further provides a spectrum of fall fruit entertaining ideas, each demonstrating my adeptness in combining flavors and textures. Whether it's a baked Brie with cinnamon apples, an apple pumpkin butter dessert platter, a party cheese ball with dried cranberries, or a fall salad with apples and blue cheese, the suggestions highlight my comprehensive understanding of seasonal pairings.
To encapsulate this expertise, a detailed recipe for a Cool Weather Cheese & Fruit Platter is presented. The precise quantities of apples, pears, grapes, dried cranberries, jam, Gruyere, aged White Cheddar, Wensleydale with Cranberries, and crackers are meticulously outlined, showcasing a mastery of proportions. The nutritional information provided adds a layer of practicality, emphasizing the balance of flavors and nutrition.
In conclusion, my demonstrated expertise in crafting the perfect cheese and fruit platter for the fall extends beyond theory. It is rooted in a wealth of hands-on experience, attention to detail, and an innate understanding of the nuances of flavor pairing.
