Mini Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls Recipe
Introduction
These Mini Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls make a delightful appetizer that’s both festive and flavorful. Creamy goat cheese blends with sweet honey and warm cinnamon, then gets rolled in a colorful mix of pecans, dried cranberries, and fresh parsley for the perfect bite-sized treat.
Ingredients
- 10 oz goat cheese
- 6 oz cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons honey (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 1/2 cups diced pecans (divided)
- 1 cup diced dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, beat together the goat cheese, cream cheese, cinnamon, and honey until light and fluffy. Fold in 1/2 cup of the diced pecans and set the mixture aside.
- Step 2: Line your countertop with parchment paper. In the center, toss together the remaining pecans, dried cranberries, and minced parsley to create the coating mixture.
- Step 3: Using a large cookie scoop, scoop rounds of the cheese mixture and roll each one in the cranberry-pecan-parsley coating until evenly covered. Repeat until all cheese balls are coated.
- Step 4: Refrigerate the cheese balls in an airtight container until ready to serve. They can be made up to two days ahead.
- Step 5: To serve, drizzle the cheese balls with extra honey if desired. Enjoy them with crackers, warm crostini, or simply with a toothpick or pretzel stick for easy handling.
Tips & Variations
- For a crunchier texture, toast the pecans lightly before mixing them with the cranberries and parsley.
- Substitute fresh thyme for parsley to add a different herbal note.
- If you prefer a milder taste, reduce the cinnamon to 1 teaspoon.
- Use a melon baller or small spoon if you don’t have a cookie scoop for shaping the cheese balls.
Storage
Store the cheese balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Before serving, allow them to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly. Leftovers are best enjoyed within this timeframe for optimal freshness.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare these cheese balls ahead of time?
Yes, you can make them up to two days in advance. Keep them refrigerated in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve.
What can I serve with these goat cheese balls?
They are delicious with crackers, crostini, or even vegetable sticks. Toothpicks or pretzel sticks work well for easy, bite-sized serving.
Print
Mini Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: About 20 mini cheese balls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight your guests with these Mini Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls, a perfect blend of creamy goat cheese and cream cheese, sweet honey, warm cinnamon, crunchy pecans, tart dried cranberries, and fresh parsley. These elegant bite-sized cheese balls are easy to prepare, make-ahead friendly, and ideal as a sophisticated appetizer for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 10 oz goat cheese
- 6 oz cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons honey (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/2 cup diced pecans
Coating
- 1 cup diced dried cranberries
- 1 cup diced pecans (remaining 1 cup from total 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a large bowl, beat together the goat cheese, cream cheese, cinnamon, and 3 tablespoons of honey until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Fold in 1/2 cup of diced pecans evenly.
- Prepare coating mixture: On a sheet of parchment paper laid out on your countertop, toss together the remaining 1 cup of diced pecans, diced dried cranberries, and minced fresh parsley in the center to create the coating mixture.
- Form and coat cheese balls: Using a large cookie scoop, portion out rounds of the cheese mixture and roll each ball in the cranberry and pecan coating mixture until fully covered. Repeat until all of the cheese mixture is used and coated.
- Chill the cheese balls: Place the coated cheese balls in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. The cheese balls can be made up to two days in advance, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve: Before serving, drizzle the cheese balls with additional honey if desired. Present them with crackers, warm crostini, or simply with toothpicks or pretzel sticks for an elegant appetizer experience.
Notes
- Make ahead: Cheese balls can be made up to two days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Serving suggestion: Serve with crackers, crostini, or pretzel sticks for ease of eating and presentation.
- Adjust coating ingredients to taste; you can add more parsley or pecans based on preference.
- For a nut-free version, substitute pecans with seeds or crushed crackers (note this will change texture).
- Use fresh goat cheese for best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: goat cheese balls, cranberry pecan cheese balls, holiday appetizer, no-bake cheese balls, easy party snacks, cream cheese appetizer
