Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Ball Recipe
This Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Ball is a delightful and easy-to-make appetizer combining creamy goat cheese with the sweet tartness of dried cranberries and the crunch of pecans. Enhanced with fresh thyme and rosemary, this cheese ball offers a perfect balance of flavors, ideal for serving with crackers or veggies at any gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cheese Ball
- 16 oz goat cheese (two 8 oz logs of goat chèvre), room temperature
- ⅓ cup pecans, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
- ½ tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
To Serve
- Crackers or fresh veggies
Instructions
- Prepare the toppings: Finely chop the dried cranberries and pecans into small bits and place them on a plate. Add the chopped fresh thyme, rosemary, salt, and cracked black pepper. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to combine the flavors.
- Form the cheese ball: Soften the goat cheese to room temperature. Roll the goat cheese in your hands to form a smooth ball. Alternatively, if using cream cheese, mix 8 oz goat cheese with 8 oz cream cheese in a bowl until well combined before forming the ball (see notes for mini goat cheese balls).
- Coat the cheese ball: Roll and press the cheese ball gently into the pecan and cranberry mixture on the plate. Continue turning and pressing the cheese ball to fully coat it with the chopped nuts and cranberries until almost all of the topping adheres to the cheese surface.
- Serve or store: Transfer the coated cheese ball to a serving plate. Serve immediately with crackers or fresh veggies. For make-ahead, tightly wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- If making mini goat cheese balls, you can substitute half of the goat cheese with cream cheese to create a softer texture; mix 8 oz goat cheese with 8 oz cream cheese, then form smaller balls and coat with toppings as directed.
- Ensure the goat cheese is at room temperature before forming the ball to make shaping and rolling easier.
- The cheese ball can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator wrapped tightly to allow flavors to meld.
- For additional flavor, try adding other fresh herbs like chives or parsley if desired.
- Use gluten-free crackers to make this appetizer suitable for gluten-free diets.
