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
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
Instructions
- Combine goat cheese, cream cheese, cinnamon, and honey in a large mixing bowl, whipping until the texture becomes light and airy.
- Gently incorporate half the diced pecans into the cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the blend.
- Spread parchment paper on the countertop and create a coating mixture by combining remaining pecans, dried cranberries, and minced parsley.
- Utilize a cookie scoop to portion cheese mixture into uniform rounds, carefully rolling each into smooth spherical shapes.
- Delicately roll each cheese ball through the cranberry-pecan-parsley mixture, applying gentle pressure to create an even, textured exterior.
- 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.
- Optional: Before serving, drizzle a light honey glaze over the chilled cheese balls for enhanced sweetness and presentation.
- 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