Mini Candied Pecan Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls
User Reviews
5
Mini Candied Pecan Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls
Description
This recipe crafts small discs of goat cheese rolled in a mix of finely chopped pecans candied with brown sugar and butter, mixed with dried cranberries and fresh parsley. The pecans are cooked gently with brown sugar and butter until caramelized, then cooled and crushed to form a sweet, crunchy coating. The dried cranberries add a tart note balanced by the fresh herb. Cinnamon is optional but can add warmth. The goat cheese discs are pressed into this mixture, rolled into balls, and coated again to ensure even coverage.
The final cheese balls offer a balance of creamy, sweet, tart, and nutty flavors with a satisfying crunchy texture on the exterior. They are ideal as party snacks or served with crackers, apple slices, celery, or crostini. The recipe can be adapted by choosing plain or honeyed goat cheese for variation.
Ingredients
- 8 oz goat cheese regular works too; honeyed is my fav!, with honey
- ½ cup pecans
- ½ TBSP butter unsalted
- 2 TBSP brown sugar
- pinch salt
- 1/4-1/2 cup dried cranberries
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1 TBSP parsley fresh chopped
Instructions
- Remove goat cheese from wrapper and cut into 8-10 discs. Set aside.
- Heat a small pan to medium heat and melt your butter.
- Once butter starts to bubble, add your pecans, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Using salted butter? Skip the salt or season to taste.
- Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often to prevent sugar from burning, and pour over a large sheet of parchment paper in a thin layer. Allow to cool for several minutes until the candy coating hardens.
- Fold the parchment paper in half, trapping the cooled pecans, and crush with hard object of choice (anything from a kitchen mallet to a wine bottle works!) and then roughly chop with a knife until minced.
- Finely chop cranberries and add to the pecans.
- Combine pecans, cranberries, and parsley on a plate or cutting board. Mix well.
- Take a goat cheese disc and press into the pecan coating on each side, then roll into a ball. Coat again as needed by rolling the completed ball in the mixture once more and transferring to a cheese board or appetizer plate. Repeat for each disc until you have a party-perfect plate of goat cheese balls. Dive in with your choice of crackers/fruit/veggies.
Notes
- This recipe is great for party cheese boards or as standalone snacks paired with crackers, fruit, or vegetables.
- If using salted butter, adjust added salt accordingly to avoid over-seasoning.
- Crush candied pecans carefully to a minced consistency for effective coating.
- Finely chop dried cranberries for even distribution in the coating mixture.
- Try honeyed goat cheese for a sweeter variation or plain for more tang.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 147 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 147kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 14mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 105mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 32mg | 1% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 355IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 0.7mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 47mg | 5% |
| Iron | 0.7mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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