Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer

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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

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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!
4.89 from 9 votes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 93
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time10 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Cranberry Balsamic Goat Cheese Appetizer

Toasted pecans:

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: 2TBS | Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.9g | Protein: 3.7g | Fat: 6.2g | Saturated Fat: 3.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 91.4mg | Potassium: 15.5mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Sugar: 4.9g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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9 Comments

  1. What would you suggest to replace either the pecans or walnuts with since a few of us in our family have nut allergies?

  2. 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!

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

  4. 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!

  5. 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!