Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer is an easy 15 minute recipe perfect for any holiday party! A cranberry, orange juice and honey sauce top whipped goat cheese and cream cheese for a delicious dip served with crackers and crusty bread.
Goat Cheese Appetizer
Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer is an easy and impressive appetizer recipe perfect for holiday parties! Last summer I was wanting a quick and simple appetizer and I whipped up this goat cheese appetizer with a blueberry balsamic compote. It was one of my favorite recipes and has become a huge hit with readers as well!
This version of the dip puts a winter spin on the recipe with seasonal cranberries and a touch of rosemary. Whether you are hosting a Christmas gathering or attending a New Years party and want to bring a special appetizer, this Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer is perfection!
How to Make Whipped Goat Cheese
Simply whip together the soft chevre goat cheese and cream cheese until it is light and fluffy. Spread the whipped goat cheese out over a small appetizer plate and top it with the homemade cranberry sauce.
If you are really short on time, you could buy a little cranberry relish or sauce from the deli at your grocery store and spread that over top. That would make for a simple 5 minute appetizer that still tastes great!
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
If you are wanting to go the homemade route, don’t fret. It is a quick and simple recipe with just a few ingredients. Simply toss some fresh or frozen cranberries in a small saucepan along with orange juice and cook over medium high heat until the cranberries are broken down. Add in the rosemary and honey and continue to simmer until the sauce is thickened.
Be sure to tasted the cranberry sauce and ensure it is sweetened to your liking. Feel free to add an extra teaspoon of honey or two if you like it sweeter.
Serve the goat cheese appetizer with crusty French bread or crackers. I like to slice up the french bread and place it on a rimmed baking sheet. Give it a quick drizzle of olive oil and pop it in a hot oven for 5 minutes. This crisps up the bread nicely and adds a great crunch.
Cranberry Goat Cheese
Cranberries and goat cheese make such an amazing pairing. Then again, just about any fruit pairs wonderfully with goat cheese in my opinion. These Pomegranate Goat Cheese Crostini are another seasonal favorite of mine for the holidays.
You can even buy logs of chevre goat cheese this time of year seasoned with cinnamon and cranberries for a super simple appetizer. Place the cranberry encrusted goat cheese log on a plate with an appetizer knife and serve it with some crackers.
Holiday Recipes
The simple log of goat cheese may not be as impressive or have the same smooth texture from whipped goat cheese, but it still tastes great! At the end of the day, that is what really matters in the midst of the crazy holiday rush.
My mom and I are currently gearing up for a long weekend of hosting and all the holiday meals that requires. We serve prime rib for the main Christmas meal, but are also planning other dinners and appetizers. Some of my favorites include Chicken Tortilla Soup, Cheese Fondue and the absolute must have every Christmas, Old Fashion Sour Cream Cutout Cookies!
More amazing Goat Cheese Appetizer Recipes
Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1 c. cranberries fresh or frozen
- 1/4 c. orange juice
- 3 Tbsp. honey
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 ` scant tsp. crushed rosemary
- 4 oz. goat cheese
- 2 oz. cream cheese
- 1 loaf crusty French bread
Instructions
- Add the cranberries to a small saucepan over medium high heat. Add the salt and orange juice. Cook for 5 minutes until the cranberries are starting to break down.
- Add the honey and rosemary and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat the goat cheese and cream cheese together.
- Spread the goat cheese mixture over a small plate and top with the cranberry mixture that has been allowed to cool for a few minutes.
- Serve the dip with some crusty French bread or crackers.
Alison LaFortune says
Such a flavorful dip for the holidays or any time of the year. Love this idea.
Julie says
This was so different and delicious – everyone loved it!
Megan says
This was such a creamy and delicious app! Thanks for sharing!
Malinda Linnebur says
This was a super simple appetizer!! Plus, everyone loved it!