This Balsamic, Maple & Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer with Cinnamon Toasted Pecans is a simple yet elegant holiday appetizer! Perfect to serve at a Christmas cocktail party! It's ready in 20 minutes and is gluten-free!
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is only two weeks away?! I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it {and plan our menu}! However I absolutely love November, and I am thankful to usher in this season of gratitude and celebrations!
And what's a celebration without some killer food?! This Balsamic, Maple & Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer with Cinnamon Toasted Pecans might just be the longest recipe title in the history of ever! However, I couldn't bring myself to leave out one element of this show-stopping holiday appetizer!
The rich flavor of balsamic vinegar and maple syrup bring out the sweet tang of the cranberries. Then, pecans swoop in to add some spice and crunch! And the goat cheese completes the whole shebang with its irresistible creaminess. One bit of this spread on a salty cracker and you will start to wonder if you really need to save room for all that Turkey later on.
I know, it's hard to think about serving holiday appetizers when your mind is consumed with preparing the main dish and sides. However, if your family is anything like ours, having some delicious, healthy party appetizers to much on before dinner, like this Balsamic, Maple & Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer, is an absolute must.
Thanksgiving is a day-long event for us. My entire family gets up early to run the 5K race in our hometown! Then we spend time together sitting by the fire watching football while my dad cooks a phenomenal meal. However, due to the whole waking up early & running component of our day, we get hungry and can't wait until 4 PM to eat.
Thankfully there are always plenty of holiday appetizers at our celebrations! This Balsamic, Maple & Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer with Cinnamon Toasted Pecans is the perfect way to stave off hanger {yes, hanger} without getting too full.
Literally as I was typing this Ritch said, "OH I remember when you made that. You need to make it again, soon!" He, {and everyone else who has tried this recipe}, absolutely loves it!
How to make Goat Cheese Appetizer
I have just a few notes for you about making this recipe
1. Divide the ingredients.
If you've read the instructions, then you noticed that both the maple syrup and the cranberries are divided. This is because some of the cranberries are completely mashed, while others are left whole. The "saucy" mashed berries hold together the whole berries and pecans beautifully, so this is an important step!
2. Serve at room temperature.
The mixture thickens as it cools. Be sure to wait at least 10 minutes after removing it from the heat before serving.
3. Storage.
This Balsamic, Maple & Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer stores exceptionally well! Keep it in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 5 days! Snack on it after your guests have left, or use it on top of a salad {YUM}!
Balsamic, Maple & Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer: Substitutions
As always I recommend making this recipe exactly as written! However, if you must make some substitutions, here are a few possibilities!
- Maple syrup. Honey can be used in place of maple syrup if desired!
- Pecans. Walnuts also taste amazing in this recipe! However those are the only two nuts I recommend using!
- Butter. Coconut oil can be used in place of butter!
- Granulated Sugar. I used organic cane sugar but any granulated variety can be used with great results! Coconut sugar and maple sugar are also great refined sugar free options!
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Balsamic, Maple & Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer with Cinnamon Toasted Pecans
Ingredients
Cranberry Balsamic Goat Cheese Appetizer
- 1Ā TBS balsamic vinegar
- 3Ā TBS pure maple syrup divided
- 1 cup fresh cranberries divided
Toasted pecans:
- Ā¼ cup pecans chopped
- Ā½ TBS butter
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1Ā 8 oz log goat cheese
- Gluten-free crackers for serving
Instructions
Toast Pecans:
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper, set aside.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat
- Add pecans, granulated sugar, cinnamon and salt and stir to combine.
- Cook, stirring consistently until the pecans are coated and begin to become darker brown, about 3-4 minutes
- Remove from heat and spread on wax paper to cool.
Cranberries:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat add 2 Tbsp. maple syrup and balsamic vinegar and heat until combined (about 30 seconds)
- Add Ā½ cup of fresh cranberries and cook on medium heat for about 3 minutes until you begin to hear them pop, stirring occasionally.
- Mash the cranberries with a potato masher or fork.
- Continue cooking until the mixture begins to thicken and resembles jelly.
- Add the remaining 1 TBS maple syrup and Ā½ cup cranberries and stir to combine.
- Continue cooking and stirring occasionally until the mixture becomes thick and the cranberries just begin to pop (do not mash them this time).
- Remove mixture from heat and let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes or until ready to serve.
Assembly:
- Place goat cheese on a cheese board or serving plate.
- Gently stir pecans into the cranberry mixture.
- Carefully spoon the mixture on top of the goat cheese log, spreading it evenly.
- Serve with your favorite crackers!
Notes
Nutrition
We won't be traveling back to Chicago for Thanksgiving this year. As the holiday rapidly approaches I am feeling pretty bummed about missing this sweet time with our family and friends. However, we're totally going to run a 5K here in Utah, with 4 kids in tow...so be on the lookout for a report on that! š
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Julile
I made this today and it was divine! I cooked the cranberries all at the same time (mashed most of them) - just personal preference. Also added just a smidgen of dried powdered rosemary to the cranberries as they were cooking. Incredibly easy and got rave reviews. Thanks for sharing!
Nora
I can imaging these flavors blending perfectly. I also love the contrast of creamy cheese with tart cranberries
Millican Pecan
Love goat cheese... Love Balsamic... Love Cranberries... Love Maple... and especially love Pecans! You bring it all together here for me. Great appetizer for a dinner party! Way to go. I am always looking at pecan recipes and this one is an absolute winner! Congrats!