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Looking for the perfect holiday appetizer? These cranberry pecan goat cheese balls are my secret weapon. They're creamy tangy and take just 30 minutes to make. The combination of sweet cranberries crunchy pecans and rich goat cheese creates irresistible bites that disappear fast at parties.
Holiday Magic
Nothing says festive like cranberries pecans and cheese. These little bites capture everything wonderful about holiday flavors. I make them every season with my husband Jorge and they never fail to wow our guests. We often serve them alongside our honey pecan cheese balls because in my kitchen there's no such thing as too much cheese.
What You Need
- Goat Cheese: Plain fresh goat cheese gives the best flavor and texture
- Cream Cheese: Makes everything extra smooth and balances the tang
- Honey: For drizzling and mixing some natural sweetness
- Pecans: Fresh and crunchy try walnuts or pistachios if you like
- Dried Cranberries: They add festive color and sweet tartness
- Fresh Parsley: Adds pretty green color optional but lovely
Let's Make Them
- Mix Your Cheese
- Beat goat cheese cream cheese cinnamon and honey until smooth. Fold in some pecans and shape into balls
- Prep the Coating
- Mix your remaining pecans cranberries and parsley
- Roll and Finish
- Roll each cheese ball in your cranberry mixture until well coated
My Kitchen Tips
No hand mixer? Your stand mixer works great. Want to skip parsley? Try green pistachios instead. Not a fan of goat cheese? Cream cheese or feta work beautifully. Use a cookie scoop for perfectly sized balls every time.
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Keep Them Fresh
These keep well in the fridge for 5 days in an airtight container. To freeze wrap each ball in plastic and pop in a freezer bag. Just thaw in the fridge before serving but know the parsley might lose some brightness.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How far ahead can I make these cheese balls?
You can make them up to 2 days ahead. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. The parsley may fade but they'll still taste great.
- → Can I make one large cheese ball instead?
Yes! Use half the coating ingredients (1/2 cup each pecans and cranberries, 1/4 cup parsley) for one large ball.
- → What's the best way to serve these?
Serve with crackers, warm crostini, or stick a toothpick or pretzel stick in each for easy grabbing. Drizzle with honey just before serving.
- → Why is my cheese mixture too soft to roll?
Make sure your cream cheese is cool enough. If it's too soft, chill the mixture for 30 minutes before rolling into balls.
- → Can I use different nuts or dried fruit?
Absolutely! Try walnuts, pistachios, or almonds. Dried cherries or blueberries work great too. Keep the proportions the same.