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Baked Goat Cheese Roasted Cranberry Appetizer

This fancy baked goat cheese roasted cranberry appetizer recipe is easier to make than it looks! It is the perfect appetizer for holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas! 

baked goat cheese and roasted cranberry appetizer overhead photo

Do you remember the first time you had baked goat cheese? No? Well, I do. It was kind of a pivotal appetizer moment for me. Oh, you don’t have pivotal appetizer moments either? … … … I may, or may not, be obsessed with food. I am not ashamed to say that eating goat cheese for the first time, hot, baked and creamy, was when I realized that appetizer cheese meant more than some cheese cubes next to stale crackers.

Don’t get me wrong – I will still plop myself down in front of a cheese tray and slightly gorge myself. It’s just not something I plan on. Baked goat cheese, however, is something I plan. And crave. And maybe dream about.

goat cheese ball with almonds
cranberries in a bowl

This baked goat cheese roasted cranberry appetizer is definitely something out of my dreams. I can see myself and my family sitting at a table, with some wine, noshing on this while the turkey cooks on Thanksgiving.

I can also see us eating it at Christmas… and New Year’s Eve… and my birthday (in July). Cause it’s my party, and I will eat holiday appetizers when I want to.

Go out, grab a log of goat cheese and some fresh cranberries, and get to celebrating.

baked goat cheese roasted cranberry appetizer assembled

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How to Make This Baked Goat Cheese Roasted Cranberry Appetizer

This delicious appetizer is super easy to make. Wash your cranberries and while they’re draining, mix up the balsamic and honey in a small bowl. Toss in the cranberries and set the bowl aside.

After you roast the almonds, chop them up and then roll the goat cheese into the almonds. This gets a little messy so I usually throw on some disposable kitchen gloves.

Seriously, those things are amazing.

crackers in small bowls
crackers in a bowl and topped with roasted cranberries and baked goat cheese

I usually use the cutting board I chopped the almonds on because its great for leverage and I can pick up whatever almond shavings may getaway.

Anyway, manipulate the goat cheese into a disc shape (see above picture for an example) and place the cheese in the center of a pie plate.

Then pour the cranberries all around the goat cheese log. Did a little balsamic honey dribble on top of the goat cheese? That’s awesome. It’s just going to add more flavor to the appetizer.

Sprinkle some additional almonds on top, throw it in the oven and let it bake.

close up photo of baked goat cheese roasted cranberry appetizer on crackers
two spoons in the goat cheese appetizer

When you pull it out of the oven, you are going to have a gooey, cheesy, sweet pile of awesome. We usually serve this with crackers or bread – pictured are little toasts imported from France and olive oil crackers.

Cranberry sauce is a necessary holiday side dish but I think many people just open up that iconic Thanksgiving cranberry-sauce-in-a-can and then go on with their merry way.

This holiday appetizer just might change the way you think about cranberries.

Looking for more cranberry recipes?

Try these:

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Baked Goat Cheese Roasted Cranberry Appetizer

Baked Goat Cheese Roasted Cranberry Appetizer

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

This fancy baked goat cheese roasted cranberry appetizer recipe is easier to make than it looks! It is the perfect appetizer for holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup unsalted almonds
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 tablespoon thyme
  • 10 ounces goat cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and bake for 6 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and pour the almonds into a small bowl. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar and honey. Add the cranberries and thyme to the bowl and stir until they are covered by the liquid. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  3. On a cutting board, chop up the almonds. Set aside 1/2 tablespoon chopped almonds and roll the goat cheese in the remaining almonds. Use your hands to mix the almonds into the goat cheese and form the goat cheese into a disc. Place the goat cheese in the center of a pie plate.
  4. Pour the cranberry mixture around the cheese. Sprinkle the set aside almonds on top of the goat cheese.
  5. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes. Serve hot with crackers or bread.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 166Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 132mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 6g

Did you make this recipe?

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baked goat cheese roasted cranberry appetizer pin

Chef Mimi

Wednesday 23rd of November 2022

I love the tart-sweet-creamy aspect to this! What a perfect appetizer for the holidays.

Kathleen Richardson

Monday 31st of December 2018

I made this for our family’s Christmas Eve (2018) gathering, along with numerous other appetizers. Served it with imported toast, olive & rosemary Triscuits, and sliced baguette. It was the most popular item on the table!

Justine S

Sunday 18th of November 2018

Has anyone tried this in a crockpot? I’d like to bring it to a pot luck at work but I’m not sure how to keep it warm and gooey for 4 hours.

Tracy

Saturday 10th of November 2018

Hi! I know this post is old, but do you think this could be reheated in the oven? I'm hoping to make it at home and take it to a friend's house. If not, would it be good cold or at room temp? Thanks!

Kathleen Richardson

Monday 31st of December 2018

I reheated leftovers in a ceramic dish in my new toaster oven.

Jenny

Tuesday 13th of November 2018

Hi Tracy - I'm just seeing your question. I have never reheated it but I have had it cold and at room temperature. Both times, delicious!

Suzanne

Saturday 18th of November 2017

Looks delicious. How many do you think it would serve ?

Jenny

Sunday 19th of November 2017

I would say 8 if you have other appetizers available.

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