This Baked Goat Cheese Roasted Cranberry Appetizer is a festive, easy holiday starter made with goat cheese, roasted cranberries, honey, and herbs. Perfect for your Thanksgiving, Christmas, and winter entertaining.
This sweet and savory appetizer combines baked goat cheese coated with nuts accompanied by a chunky, sweet-tart roasted cranberry dipping sauce with a splash of balsamic vinegar, a pinch of salt, fresh thyme and a drizzle of honey. The flavors are great together.
Our palate pleasing Baked Goat Cheese Roasted Cranberry Appetizer will brighten up your holiday table. Make it a in pretty baking dish or use a cast iron skillet like we did. This dish can go rustic or elegant just that easily.
You can make this appetizer recipe ahead and assemble and bake it just before serving. That’s wonderful for large holiday gatherings or a small winter party. This easy recipe brings a touch of gourmet flair without complicating your cooking schedule.
This is a colorful appetizer that stands out on a crowded side board, and it’s easy to serve. Just set the baked dish on a warming pad with a tray of crackers nearby and your guests can easily self serve.
The flavors in this appetizer recipe balance each other beautifully. The warm nut topped goat cheese softens into a creamy, spreadable layer that pairs perfectly with juicy, tart roasted cranberries. The balsamic vinegar adds a subtle depth, while honey enhances natural sweetness without overpowering the dish.
Tossing the goat cheese in chopped nuts adds a desirable crunch in every bite. And that crunchy nuttiness contrasts the warm, melty cheese and makes the whole experience more satisfying. Scooping it into those piquant roasted cranberries adds a flavorful zip to the whole thing. Your guests will love it!
Baked Goat Cheese Roasted Cranberry Appetizer Presentation ideas:
The entire dish bakes together in a single skillet or baking dish, creating a gorgeous presentation that you can serve straight from the oven. To make this pretty appetizer pop in your unique party setting try these ideas:
- Assemble it in a small cast-iron skillet, as you see here. Very simple, shows off the dip and lends a rustic vibe.
- Contrarily, a glass or ceramic baking dish, or a shallow stoneware server will all make great baking ware for this dish.
- Arrange this holiday dip as a wreath. Set the baking dish in a large circular platter or remove the cheese and cranberry dip from your baking dish and set them on a large circular platter with cheese in the middle. Now add real or faux herbs or small Christmas tree fronds around the outside. Have a small string of lights? That might be quite fun.
- You can also use your tray perimeter for additions such as pomegranate ariels, more nuts, crackers other dippers to this appetizer. just keep the display balance in shape, color and texture so it compliments rather than overwhelms the primary dish.
- Charcuterie boards of various types , size and shapes can also serve this appetizer. Make your cheese shape fit the board shape and style as you wish. After baking scoop to off the baking dish with a spatula and arrange the cheese on your board. Now spoon the roasted cranberries carefully onto the board so they stay on the board as your guests scoop the berries and cheese together. Add additions to the board as you deem appropriate for your party.
The roasted cranberries take on a glossy jewel-toned appearance, once coated and baked, that visually delights on holiday tables, side boards or a simple cozy game table with friends. Add a sprinkle of fresh thyme, orange zest, or crushed pistachios after baking for an elegant finish.
Baked Goat Cheese Roasted Cranberry Appetizer Variations:
This Roasted Cranberry Appetizer is also incredibly versatile. If you’re entertaining several large groups this holiday season, try these ideas for changing up this appetizer.
- Goat cheese is naturally tangy and rich, but if you prefer something milder you can substitute it with a creamy brie round or log-style cream cheese. Each creamy cheese version offers its own take on this festive combination.
- Use a pre-seasoned goat cheese log (garlic, cranberry-cinnamon, or herb-coated varieties all work beautifully).
- Change up the nuts for walnuts or pistachios, experiment with different herbs.
- Swap honey for maple syrup for your sweetener.
- Add cracked black pepper and a sprinkle of rosemary for a less sweet flavor profile.
- Add 1–2 tablespoons of orange juice and zest to the cranberry mixture before baking for a brighter citrus note.
As this pretty cranberry goat cheese bake cools, the flavor blend even more. This recipe can be served hot and allowed to cool and its still delicious, so no warming mat needed for this recipe.
And remember, fresh cranberries are awfully tart and this recipe uses that piquant flavor burst to compliment the creamy nutty goat cheese. You may enjoy this appetizer even more if you drizzle extra honey over not only the goat cheese once baked, but the roasted cranberries as well. You do you!
Baked Goat Cheese with Roasted Cranberries
A warm, creamy Baked Goat Cheese Roasted Cranberry Appetizer topped with honey, herbs, and roasted cranberries. A colorful, simple holiday recipe your guests will love.
Ingredients
- 1 log (8 oz) goat cheese
- ½ cup chopped almonds or pecans
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- Pinch of salt
- Crackers, crostini, or baguette slices for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Make the Cranberry Mixture:
- Line a small circular baking dish or oven-safe skillet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine: cranberries, honey, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, thyme, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir to coat evenly, Set Aside.
Shape The Goat Cheese:
- Place the chilled goat cheese log onto a sheet of plastic wrap on your counter.
- cover the cheese with the plastic wrap and shape the goat cheese neatly into a round. You want a round about 3 to 4 " in diameter when finished.
- Roll the sides and top of the goat cheese round in chopped nuts until evenly covered.
- Place the coated round in the center of the dish.
- Spoon the cranberry mixture into your prepared baking dish, around the goat cheese.
Bake:
- Bake uncovered for 15–18 minutes, until the cranberries burst and the goat cheese softens and turns lightly golden around the edges.
- Drizzle the warm cheese and cranberries with a little extra honey.
- Garnish and Serve immediately with crackers, crostini, or toasted baguette slices.
Notes
Tips & Variations
- Make ahead: Prepare the cranberry mixture up to a day in advance and refrigerate in an air tight container until needed. You can also prep the goat cheese into the round shape and store it completely covered in plastic wrap. Assemble in your baking pan and Bake just before serving.
- Add orange zest to the cranberries for brightness.
- Make it festive: Garnish with a sprig of rosemary or a few pomegranate seeds.
- Nut swap: Pistachios or walnuts work great too.
Nutrition Information
Yield
10Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 137Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 2mgSodium 23mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 3gSugar 7gProtein 2g
This is a warm, creamy Baked Goat Cheese Roasted Cranberry Appetizer topped with honey, herbs, and roasted cranberries. A stunning, simple holiday recipe your guests will love. Please let us know in the comment section below how it goes for you. What did you do with this recipe?