Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer (Simple & Delicious)

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

If you’re looking for an easy snack to feed your guests while you finish up with last-minute holiday preparations, this cranberry goat cheese appetizer is IT. 

Made with seasonal fresh fruit — or a can of preserves if you’re in need of a quick win — this beautiful fruit and cheese spread is as pretty as it is tasty. As if that weren’t enough to love, this recipe is also:

• Make-Ahead & Freezer Friendly - For a holiday-ready appetizer, this is an absolute MUST. 
• Versatile - Use it as a spread for crackers, a base for a cheese-meets-butter board, a filling for crepes, or a spread for your morning toast or even some pancakes. No matter how you eat it, you’re sure to fall in love with this cranberry chevre.
• Allergen-Friendly - Naturally gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free, nut-free, vegetarian, and easy to adapt to be vegan, this is a one-size-fits-most kind of appetizer.

🍴Ingredients

• Cranberries - Fresh cranberries don’t have a long season, so stock up on these crimson beauties while you can. They’ll last up to a month in the crisper drawer of your fridge, or can easily be frozen for up to 3-6 months. On that note, feel free to use any frozen cranberries you may have on hand.
• Orange Zest - Only grate the bright orange parts of the zest; the white pith is quite bitter.
• Spices - Cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves add warmth. Feel free to swap in alternatives if you need.
• Water - You can also swap in the juice from the orange, topped up with water if needed.
• Sugar - I used plain white sugar, but brown sugar or a more unrefined variety of sugar (e.g. Muscovado or jaggery) will also work if you don’t mind the added molasses-y depth. 
• Goat Cheese Log - Sometimes sold as “chevre,” look for the kind that is sold in logs. In a pinch, you can swap in cream cheese or fromage blanc for creamy goat cheese, though you’ll miss out on the unmistakable tangy flavor of the goat milk.
• Crackers - Round butter crackers, wafer-thin water crackers, seeded crackers, grissini, sourdough crackers or nut-and-fruit studded mini toasts — the choice is yours. Check out my guide for picking out the best crackers for your charcuterie board for more ideas!

⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

• Cinnamon Cranberry Goat Cheese - Add an extra [amount] of cinnamon for an extra boost of warmth.
• Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles - Chill the cranberry goat’s cheese mixture until firm, then use a melon baller or a small cookie scoop to make truffle-sized balls. Roll the “truffles” in chopped, toasted pecans, pressing firmly so they adhere. YUM!
• Different Flavored Goat Cheese - Mix any jam or fruit preserves with goat cheese to make a delicious sweet & savory spread - like my blueberry goat cheese!

⚒️ Equipment

I love making appetizers with goat cheese, in part because you don’t need much fancy equipment to do it. Here’s what you’ll need (or at least want):

• Saucepan - For making the cranberry sauce. If you’re using a store-bought shortcut, make sure you have a can opener on deck.
• Silicone Spatula - For getting all the tastiness from your saucepan or the can.
• A pretty serving tray or cheese board to display your gorgeous crimson-swirled cheese toasts.
• A soft cheese knife for your guests to help themselves.
• A honey dipper, because they’re not only adorable but are also perfect for drizzling the exact right amount of honey.

📖 Step by Step Instructions

This easy goat’s cheese appetizer comes together with only about 25 minutes of kitchen time (but at least an hour of cooling time). Here's how it's made!

Step 1: Make Cranberry Sauce. Simmer cranberries, orange zest, spices, water, and sugar until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, about 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Remove from heat, strain the cranberries and set aside to cool. (The leftover cranberry simple syrup can be used for your next happy hour!)

Step 3: Mix Cranberry Goat Cheese with room-temperature cranberry sauce until well combined. Add thyme leaves and stir to incorporate.

Step 4: Swipe On Crackers (& Drizzle With Honey?). Pat yourself on the shoulder for a job well done.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Work ahead for easier entertaining. You can make the cranberry sauce up to 3 months ahead of time and freeze it. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator (or in a bowl of cool water for about 45 minutes) before using.
  
  You’re also welcome to mix in the goat cheese and freeze the completed spread for 1-3 months. 
• Make sure your goat cheese is at room temperature. If it’s too cold, stirring is much more difficult.
• Swap in store-bought canned whole cranberry sauce to save a prep step.
• Makes for a great DIY gift with a loaf of homemade sourdough loaf or batch of homemade pretzels.
• Crackers are merely a suggestion. Who says cheese spreads are just for appetizer plates? This cranberry-flavored goat cheese also works well on breakfast (think: crepes, pancakes, waffles, French toast, bagels), as well as lunch (fruity grilled cheese? Yes, please.)

💭 Recipe FAQs

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