Festive Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls Recipe for Holiday Joy

These delightful cranberry pecan goat cheese balls burst with festive flavors that dance across your palate.

Creamy goat cheese meets the rich crunch of pecans in a stunning appetizer that sparks conversation.

Sweet dried cranberries weave through the recipe, adding vibrant color and tangy sweetness.

Elegant yet simple, these bite-sized morsels come together with minimal effort and maximum impact.

The combination of textures creates a sophisticated snack perfect for holiday gatherings or casual entertaining.

You’ll love how these little cheese balls blend savory and sweet in one irresistible package.

Prepare to be the star of any gathering with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

What Makes Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls Special

• Savor Nostalgic Comfort: This bread pudding recipe brings back warm memories of home-cooked desserts, offering a delightful taste of traditional comfort food that feels like a sweet hug.
• Master Simple Baking Techniques: Perfect for beginners, the recipe requires basic cooking skills and minimal equipment, making it an excellent introduction to dessert preparation for home cooks of all levels.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Versatile enough for family dinners, potlucks, or special gatherings, this dessert impresses with its rich vanilla sauce and classic bread pudding texture that appeals to both kids and adults.
• Transform Leftover Bread: Brilliantly repurposes stale bread into a decadent dessert, reducing food waste while creating a luxurious treat that turns simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Ingredients for Festive Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls

• Goat Cheese: Creamy base with tangy flavor that provides the primary texture for the cheese balls.
• Cream Cheese: Soft cheese that helps create a smooth and fluffy mixture.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that adds gentle sweetness and helps bind the cheese mixture.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that enhances the overall flavor profile of the cheese mixture.

• Pecans, Dried Cranberries: Crunchy and sweet elements that create a textured exterior for the cheese balls.
• Minced Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright green color and subtle herbaceous note to the coating.

• Additional Honey: Optional drizzle that adds extra sweetness and shine to the finished cheese balls.
• Crackers, Crostini: Recommended serving vehicles for easy enjoyment of the cheese balls.
• Toothpicks, Pretzel Sticks: Helpful tools for guests to pick up and eat the cheese balls.

How to Make Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls Easily

Step 1: Prepare Cheese Mixture

Beat soft goat cheese, cream cheese, cinnamon, and honey until smooth and fluffy.

Step 2: Fold in Pecans

Gently fold chopped pecans into the cheese mixture for crunch.

Step 3: Make Coating Blend

Mix finely chopped pecans, dried cranberries, and minced parsley on parchment.

Step 4: Shape Cheese Balls

Scoop mixture and roll into smooth balls by hand, handling gently.

Step 5: Coat Cheese Balls

Roll each ball in the pecan-cranberry-parsley mix, pressing lightly to adhere.

Step 6: Chill

Place coated balls on a tray and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Store up to 2 days in an airtight container.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Drizzle honey over balls before serving. Serve with crackers, crostini, or toothpicks.

Notes for Tasty Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls

• Refrigerate the cheese balls for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up and make rolling and coating easier, ensuring a smooth and professional finish.
• Experiment with different nuts like almonds or walnuts to add variety and personalize the texture of the outer coating.
• Add a pinch of fresh thyme or rosemary to the cheese mixture for an extra aromatic and herbaceous touch that complements the sweet and tangy ingredients.
• Prepare the cheese balls up to two days in advance, storing them in an airtight container to save time and reduce day-of preparation stress.
• Adjust the honey amount in the cheese mixture to balance the tanginess of the goat cheese and create your preferred level of sweetness.

Different Spins for Goat Cheese Ball Fans

• Herbed Goat Cheese Spheres: Replace parsley with fresh thyme and rosemary, creating an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Vegan Nut Cheese Alternative: Swap goat and cream cheese with cashew-based cheese, using almond flour for coating and maple syrup instead of honey.
• Spicy Southwestern Cheese Bites: Add jalapeño pepper and chili powder to cheese mixture, roll in toasted pepitas and crushed chili flakes for a zesty kick.
• Gluten-Free Cheese Rounds: Use gluten-free crackers as serving option, ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, and replace traditional pecans with toasted sunflower seeds for allergy-friendly adaptation.

What Goes Great With Goat Cheese Balls

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complement the tangy goat cheese and cut through the rich, creamy texture, creating a delightful balance of flavors.
• Serve with Rustic Artisan Crackers: Grab some hearty whole grain or seeded crackers that provide a crunchy contrast to the soft cheese balls, enhancing the nutty pecan and tart cranberry notes.
• Match with Fresh Herb Accompaniments: Scatter fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs around the plate to add an aromatic layer that elevates the herbal hints from the parsley in the coating.
• Complement with Light Sparkling Aperitif: Choose a dry prosecco or champagne that adds effervescence and cleanses the palate between bites, highlighting the sweet and savory elements of the cheese balls.

How to Keep Cheese Balls Freshest Longer

• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep the cheese balls in a single layer separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap each ball individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Remove from refrigerator 10-15 minutes prior to serving to soften slightly and enhance flavor. This allows the cheese to reach a creamy, spreadable consistency.
• Do not leave cheese balls out for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth. Always keep chilled when not immediately serving.

FAQs

• What are the main ingredients for this recipe?

The key ingredients are goat cheese, cream cheese, pecans, dried cranberries, honey, cinnamon, and parsley.

• Can I make these cheese balls ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare these up to two days in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

• Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly and does not contain any meat products.

• How can I prevent the cheese balls from falling apart?

Make sure to chill the cheese mixture before forming balls and handle them gently when rolling to maintain their shape.

Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Festive holiday gatherings sparkle with these cranberry pecan goat cheese balls, blending tangy goat cheese, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans. Guests will savor each elegant bite, experiencing a perfect balance of creamy, tart, and nutty flavors that elevate any appetizer spread.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 10 ounces (280 grams) goat cheese
• 6 ounces (170 grams) cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) pecans, divided
• 1 cup (150 grams) dried cranberries

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons honey (plus extra for garnish)

Garnish:

• 1/2 cup (30 grams) minced fresh parsley

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine goat cheese, cream cheese, cinnamon, and honey in a large mixing bowl, whipping until the texture becomes light and airy.
2. Gently incorporate half the diced pecans into the cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the blend.
3. Spread parchment paper on the countertop and create a coating mixture by combining remaining pecans, dried cranberries, and minced parsley.
4. Utilize a cookie scoop to portion cheese mixture into uniform rounds, carefully rolling each into smooth spherical shapes.
5. Delicately roll each cheese ball through the cranberry-pecan-parsley mixture, applying gentle pressure to create an even, textured exterior.
6. Transfer coated cheese balls to a clean plate and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes until slightly firm, allowing flavors to meld and texture to set.
7. Optional: Before serving, drizzle a light honey glaze over the chilled cheese balls for enhanced sweetness and presentation.
8. Arrange on a serving platter with crackers, crostini, or garnish with toothpicks for an elegant appetizer ready to be enjoyed.

Notes

• Chill the cheese mixture for 15-20 minutes before forming balls to make rolling easier and prevent sticking.
• Swap goat cheese with plant-based cream cheese for a vegan version, using nutritional yeast for extra flavor depth.
• Toast pecans briefly before chopping to enhance their nutty richness and add a subtle crunch to the coating.
• Use room temperature cheeses to ensure smooth blending and prevent lumpy texture when mixing ingredients.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 181
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 115 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg