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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer (Simple & Delicious)

    Published: Dec 9, 2022 · Modified: Apr 1, 2024 by Emily Laurae · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Cranberry Goat Cheese.
    Cranberry Goat Cheese.
    Cranberry Goat Cheese.

    With a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and warm flavors, this Cranberry Goat Cheese is the 15-minute holiday appetizer your party-planning brain needs. Made with just 5 (6 if cranberry sauce) ingredients in two simple steps, this creamy spread is far more than the sum of its parts. 

    Cranberry goat cheese on crackers.
    Jump to:
    • ⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe 
    • 🍴Ingredients
    • ⏲️ Substitutions & Variations
    • ⚒️ Equipment
    • 📖 Step by Step Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • More Appetizer Recipes to Try
    • Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer
    • 💬 Comments

    ⭐ 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!
    Labeled ingredient shot of cranberry goat cheese recipe.

    ⏲️ 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!

    Homemade cranberry sauce in a saucepan.

    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.

    Straining cranberry sauce through a mesh strainer.

    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!)

    Ingredients in a bowl before mixing to create cranberry cheese.

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

    Cranberry Goat cheese in a bowl.

    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.)
    Cranberry goat cheese crackers with honey, rosemary and cranberries on top.

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    Can I freeze goat cheese?

    Yes! Feel free to freeze this cranberry goat’s cheese spread for up to 3 months, but note that it might become a little bit crumblier the longer you keep it frozen. To use, defrost overnight in the refrigerator, then let come to room temperature about 45 minutes before serving. 

    What is the best alternative for goat cheese?

    You’re welcome to use Labneh, Fresh Ricotta, cream cheese, or any soft farmer’s cheese you like.

    More Appetizer Recipes to Try

    • Burrata bruschetta on a cutting board.
      Burrata Bruschetta Recipe with Tomatoes
    • burrata toast with fresh herbs and tomatoes.
      Burrata Toast Recipe with Sourdough
    • Burrata caprese salad on a platter surrounded by olive oil, balsamic glaze and fresh tomatoes.
      Burrata Caprese Salad Recipe with Tomato and Basil
    • Cottage cheese toast with cherry tomatoes on a plate.
      Cottage Cheese Toast with Cherry Tomatoes

    If you try this recipe for Cranberry Goat Cheese, please leave a 🌟 review and share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter! 📧 

    Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer.

    Cranberry Goat Cheese Appetizer

    With a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and warm flavors, this Cranberry Goat Cheese is the 15-minute holiday appetizer your party-planning brain needs. Made with just 5 (6 if cranberry sauce) ingredients in two simple steps, this creamy spread is far more than the sum of its parts.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cooling Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 120kcal
    Author: Emily Laurae

    Equipment

    • Saucepan
    • Bowls
    • Spatula or spoon for stirring
    • Fine Mesh Sieve or Slotted Spoon

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Fresh Cranberries
    • ½ cup Granulated Sugar
    • ½ cup Water
    • 1 Cinnamon Stick
    • 1 Orange, zested
    • ½ teaspoon Chopped Rosemary
    • 8 oz Log of Goat Cheese, softened or at room temperature
    • Crackers, rosemary, honey, pecans and flaky sea salt, For garnishing

    Instructions

    • Simmer sugar, water, cranberries, orange zest, and cinnamon stick until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Strain the cranberries, remove from heat, strain the cranberries through a sieve and set aside to cool. (The leftover cranberry simple syrup can be used for happy hour!)
      1 cup Fresh Cranberries, ½ cup Granulated Sugar, ½ cup Water, 1 Cinnamon Stick, 1 Orange, zested
    • Mix Cranberry Goat Cheese with room-temperature cranberry sauce until well combined. Add a touch of chopped rosemary and stir to incorporate.
      8 oz Log of Goat Cheese, ½ teaspoon Chopped Rosemary
    • Add cranberry goat cheese to a cracker and garnish as you wish! A drizzle of honey, some extra cranberries, pecans or flakey sea salt!
      Crackers, rosemary, honey, pecans and flaky sea salt

    Notes

    Frequently Asked Questions
    • Does goat cheese melt? Yep! And it does so beautifully, like cream cheese on a warm bagel. YUM.
    • Can I freeze goat cheese? You sure can! If properly contained in a clean, airtight container, you can freeze any leftovers for up to three months. 
    • Are goat cheese and chevre the same? Chevre is the French word for “goat,” so it can actually refer to a wide range of cheeses that are all considered goat’s cheese. In this recipe, we’re looking for young logs (or cups or medallions) of fresh goat cheese. But, yes. You can usually use these terms interchangeably, unless you’re in France or talking to a sophisticated cheesemonger.
    • What is the best alternative for goat cheese? You’re welcome to use Labneh, Fresh Ricotta, cream cheese, or any soft farmer’s cheese you like.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 141mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 446IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg
    Enjoyed this recipe?Mention @emilylaurae or tag #emilylaurae!

    More Simple & Elegant Appetizer Recipes

    • How to make a Charcuterie Board at Home
      Best Crackers for Your Charcuterie Board
    • Summer Fruits with Tajin.
      Summer Fruits with Tajin
    • Lemon Herb Tahini Dip.
      Lemon Herb Tahini (Dip, Spread, Sauce, or Salad Dressing!)
    • Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer

    About Emily Laurae

    Emily is the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Emily Laurae. After finishing Pastry School and working as a chef in the restaurant industry, she created this blog to share those skills with home bakers and creators all over the world!

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