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    Home » Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer

    Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer

    Published: Nov 9, 2017 · Modified: Feb 24, 2022 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer is a simple and elegant holiday starter. Made with 8 ingredients in 20 minutes, it's a delicious appetizer to serve on Thanksgiving or at a Christmas party!

    Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer on a cheese board with a knife that cut a portion out of it lying in front of the goat cheese log

    This Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer is a delicious starter perfect for the holidays.

    A mixture of cranberries, pecans, balsamic vinegar and rich fall spices sit atop a log of creamy goat cheese for an appetizer that will keep you coming back for more.

    Plus, it is made with 8 ingredients in 20 minutes so it's perfect for last-minute guests.

    Thanksgiving is a day-long event for us. My entire family gets up early to run a Thanksgiving day 5K. Then we drink hot chocolate and watch the parade while we start cooking (check out all my favorite Thanksgiving recipes). However, due to waking up early & running, we get hungry and need some appetizers while dinner cooks, and this recipe is a favorite.

    Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer on a serving plate garnished with rosemary

    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!

    ingredients in this Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer recipe
    • Maple syrup. Honey can be used in place of maple syrup.
    • Pecans. Walnuts also taste amazing in this recipe.
    • Butter. Olive oil can be used in place of butter, although I don't suggest it.
    • 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.
    • Goat cheese. Use an 8 oz log of goat cheese. You can choose a flavored variety, plain, or even one with a touch of honey.
    a goat cheese log made into a Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer on a serving platter

    How to make Goat Cheese Appetizer

    Let's walk through how to make this recipe, and don't forget to watch the video.

    Chop the pecans. If using whole peans make sure to chop them into small pieces so there are bits of pecans in every bite.

    Divide the ingredients. 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, so this is an important step.

    photo showing how to make this Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer

    Toast Pecans

    Cook pecans, granulated sugar, cinnamon and salt, 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.

    two photos showing how to make Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer

    Make the cranberry topping

    In a small saucepan over medium heat add 2 tablespoons maple syrup and balsamic vinegar and heat until combined (about 30 seconds).

    Then, add ½ cup of fresh cranberries and cook on medium heat for about 3 minutes until you begin to hear them pop, stirring occasionally.

    two photos showing how to make Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer

    Once the cranberries begin to pop, mash them with a potato masher or fork.

    Continue cooking until the mixture begins to thicken and resembles jelly.

    Then, add the remaining 1 TBS maple syrup and ½ cup cranberries and stir to combine.

    two photos showing how to make Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer

    Continue cooking and stirring occasionally until the mixture becomes thick and the cranberries just begin to pop (do not mash them this time).

    Remove the mixture from heat and gently stir the toasted pecans into the cranberry mixture. Then, let the mixture stand at room temperature for 10 minutes or until ready to serve.

    Assemble:

    Carefully spoon the cooled cranberry mixture on top of the goat cheese log, spreading it evenly.

    two photos showing how to make Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer

    Serve

    Serve with your favorite crackers!

    Front view of a knife cutting into Balsamic, Maple & Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer with Cinnamon Toasted Pecans

    Store

    This recipe stores 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 like this kale salad or brussel sprouts salad (so good).

    Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer on top of a stack of crackers

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I make this recipe in advance?

    Yes. To do this, make the cranberry mixture and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. Then, either warm the mixture slightly or serve it cold on top of your favorite goat cheese log.

    How long does this recipe last?

    Up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

    What kind of cracker goes with goat cheese?

    You can eat this with just about any variety of crackers. We like thick hearty crackers that hold up well to dipping. Here are some suggestions: wheat thin crackers, woven wheat crackers, small crostinis.

    Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer being served with a cheese knife

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer

    Laura
    This Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer is a simple and elegant holiday starter. Made with 8 ingredients in 20 minutes, it's a delicious appetizer to serve on Thanksgiving or at a Christmas party!
    4.84 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 Servings
    Calories 93 kcal

    Equipment

    • 3 quart saucepan
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula

    Ingredients
     
     

    Cranberry Balsamic Goat Cheese Appetizer

    • 1  TBS balsamic vinegar
    • 3  TBS pure maple syrup divided
    • 1 cup fresh cranberries divided

    Toasted pecans:

    • ¼ cup pecans chopped
    • ½ TBS butter
    • 2 tsp granulated sugar
    • ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
    • Pinch of sea salt
    • 8 oz log goat cheese
    • Crackers for serving
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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 ½ 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 ½ 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!

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Maple syrup. Honey can be used in place of maple syrup.
    • Pecans. Walnuts also taste amazing in this recipe.
    • Butter. Olive oil can be used in place of butter, although I don't suggest it.
    • 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.
    • Goat cheese. Use an 8 oz log of goat cheese. You can choose a flavored variety, plain, or even one with a touch of honey.

    Store

     Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Do not freeze.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2TBSCalories: 93kcalCarbohydrates: 5.9gProtein: 3.7gFat: 6.2gSaturated Fat: 3.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 91.4mgPotassium: 15.5mgFiber: 0.6gSugar: 4.9gVitamin A: 210IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

    « Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe »

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julile

      December 01, 2019 at 6:07 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    2. Nora

      October 06, 2019 at 2:47 pm

      I can imaging these flavors blending perfectly. I also love the contrast of creamy cheese with tart cranberries

      Reply
    3. Millican Pecan

      June 15, 2019 at 5:47 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    4. Jennifer Bliss

      November 13, 2017 at 1:05 pm

      Yum! Balsamic!

      Reply
    5. Christine

      November 10, 2017 at 2:57 pm

      5 stars
      Definitely want to have this on the menu for Thanksgiving! Such a delicious and beautiful appetizer!

      Reply
    6. Kristina @ Love & Zest

      November 10, 2017 at 11:18 am

      5 stars
      This looks SO GOOD! Great party appetizer for the Holidays!

      Reply
    7. Deryn | Running on Real Food

      November 09, 2017 at 9:42 pm

      Love this idea and these photos are beautiful, btw!! I can't wait for all the holiday platters. We already had our Thanksgiving in Canada but Christmas isn't too far away!

      Reply
    8. Sarah

      November 09, 2017 at 8:08 pm

      Drooling over the balsamic, maple, cranberry combo... so good!! Perfect to pair with cheese and crackers.

      Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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