Mini Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls Recipe
These Mini Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls are a delicious and elegant appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings or any festive occasion. Creamy goat cheese and cream cheese are blended with warm cinnamon and honey, then mixed with dried cranberries and fresh parsley. The mixture is rolled into bite-sized balls and coated with crunchy pecans, creating a delightful contrast of flavors and textures that will impress your guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: Approximately 24 mini cheese balls
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 10 oz goat cheese
- 6 oz cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons honey, plus extra for garnish
- 1 cup diced dried cranberries
- ½ cup minced fresh parsley
Coating
- 1 ½ cups diced pecans, divided
Instructions
- Mix the Cheeses: In a large mixing bowl, combine the goat cheese and cream cheese until smooth and well blended. This forms the creamy base for your cheese balls.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the cinnamon, 3 tablespoons of honey, diced dried cranberries, and the minced fresh parsley. Mix thoroughly to distribute all ingredients evenly throughout the cheese mixture.
- Prepare the Pecans: Divide the diced pecans into two portions. Use half of them to help coat the cheese balls later, reserving the rest for garnish or additional coating as desired.
- Form the Cheese Balls: Using clean hands, scoop out small portions of the cheese mixture and roll them into bite-sized balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. This size makes them perfect for serving as appetizers.
- Coat the Cheese Balls: Roll each cheese ball in the diced pecans until fully covered. The nuts add a crunchy texture contrasting with the creamy interior.
- Chill: Place the coated cheese balls on a platter or baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up and allow flavors to meld.
- Serve and Garnish: Just before serving, drizzle additional honey over the cheese balls for a touch of sweetness and shine. Arrange on a serving plate and enjoy!
Notes
- To make rolling easier, dip your hands in cold water between forming cheese balls to prevent sticking.
- Feel free to substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- For a festive touch, try adding a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh rosemary.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Allow the cheese balls to come to room temperature for 10 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.
