Description
Savory mini cranberry pecan goat cheese balls bring festive cheer to holiday appetizers. Creamy goat cheese mingles with tart cranberries and crunchy pecans, creating a delightful bite you can’t resist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) goat cheese, softened
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (30 g) dried cranberries, finely chopped
- ¼ cup (30 g) pecans, finely chopped
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tsp honey (optional, for added sweetness)
- Crackers or crostini
- Fresh veggies like celery or carrot sticks
Instructions
- Cheese Preparation: Blend goat cheese, cream cheese, and honey until smooth. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 25-30 minutes to firm up and facilitate easy shaping.
- Coating Creation: Finely chop cranberries and toast pecans to intensify their flavor. Mince parsley and chives to create a vibrant, aromatic coating mixture that will add depth and texture to the cheese balls.
- Forming and Coating: Using a small spoon or cookie scoop, shape the chilled cheese mixture into uniform bite-sized spheres. Carefully roll each ball in the cranberry-pecan-herb mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Serving and Storage: Arrange the coated cheese balls on a serving platter. Allow them to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. These elegant appetizers can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours, maintaining their sophisticated flavor and appealing texture.
Notes
- Chill for Precision: Refrigerate the cheese mixture exactly 25-30 minutes to achieve perfect moldable texture without becoming too firm or soft.
- Toast Nuts Carefully: Gently toast pecans over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning and maximize their rich, nutty flavor profile.
- Handle with Delicacy: Use light, gentle pressure when coating cheese balls to ensure even distribution of cranberry and herb mixture without crushing the delicate spheres.
- Advance Preparation: Make these appetizers up to 24 hours ahead, storing in an airtight container to preserve freshness and allow flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg