Kamil Perry
Cranberry goat cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a sweet and savoury appetizer, spread, or salad topping. It is a simple dish to make, requiring only a few ingredients and minimal preparation time, making it perfect for entertaining guests during the holidays. The combination of tangy goat cheese and sweet cranberries can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including as a log, baked pastry bites, or even on gluten-free crackers. This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, making it a convenient option for busy hosts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Appetizer |
| Occasions | Christmas, New Year's Eve, Thanksgiving, Holiday Season, Parties |
| Ingredients | Goat cheese, cranberries, puff pastry, cinnamon, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, honey, thyme, nuts, pomegranate seeds, milk, eggs, salt, butter |
| Variations | Cranberry Goat Cheese Log, Cranberry Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Swirls, Cranberry Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Bites, Baked Goat Cheese with Cranberries, Fried Goat Cheese Salad, Goat Cheese Pizza, Goat Cheese Spread |
| Preparation | Thaw pastry, brush with butter, sprinkle cinnamon sugar, spread goat cheese, add cranberries, roll into a log, cut swirls, bake |
| Dietary Options | Gluten-free |
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What You'll Learn
Cranberry goat cheese log
The cranberry goat cheese log is a simple and delicious gluten-free appetizer that is perfect for holiday parties and entertaining. It is easy to make and only requires a few basic ingredients: dried cranberries, cinnamon, and goat cheese. You can also add nuts, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of honey to taste.
- Start by preparing the dried cranberries. Chop them roughly and mix them with ground cinnamon. You can also add other ingredients like nuts, green onions, or fresh herbs to the mixture.
- Place the cranberry cinnamon mixture on a flat plate or in a shallow dish.
- Let the goat cheese soften slightly on the counter while you prepare the cranberries. This will make it easier to work with.
- Take your goat cheese log and carefully roll it in the dried cranberry mixture until all sides are covered. You can use a 4 or 8-ounce log of goat cheese, depending on the number of people you are serving.
- If the mixture doesn't stick to the goat cheese right away, press some of the dried cranberries into the log.
- For a less messy option, you can place the mixture on a piece of plastic wrap and then roll it around the goat cheese log. This is especially helpful if you plan to make it ahead of time and store it.
- Once the log is covered in the mixture, place it on a serving tray. Garnish it with fresh rosemary and additional cranberries, if desired. A drizzle of honey will add a touch of sweetness.
- Serve the cranberry goat cheese log at room temperature with your favorite gluten-free crackers, crostini, or baguette slices. It also goes well with pretzels, apple slices, or pears.
The cranberry goat cheese log is a simple and impressive appetizer that your guests will surely enjoy. It is a flavorful and festive dish, perfect for the holiday season.
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Cranberry goat cheese puff pastry swirls
Ingredients:
- Puff pastry
- Salted butter
- Cinnamon sugar (mix brown sugar and cinnamon)
- Goat cheese
- Dried cranberries
Optional Ingredients:
- Honey or herbs
- Nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- Pomegranate seeds
Method:
- Take your thawed-out sheet of pastry and brush over some melted butter.
- Sprinkle with some cinnamon sugar.
- Spread the crumbled goat cheese over the pastry dough and sprinkle the cranberries on top.
- Roll the pastry up, just like you would a cinnamon roll, into a log.
- Cut swirls using a sharp knife, then arrange them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown.
- Allow to sit on the pan for about two minutes before transferring to a serving plate.
- Serve warm.
Tips:
- These swirls can be prepared ahead of time and chilled until you’re ready to serve your guests.
- You can also use cream cheese or brie instead of goat cheese.
- These swirls are delicious with a dollop of honey or jam (like fig jam) on top.
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Baked goat cheese with cranberries
This baked goat cheese with cranberries is a fancy yet simple appetizer that is perfect for the holiday season. It is a great way to incorporate cranberries into a seasonal meal if you are not a fan of traditional cranberry sauce. The sweetness of the cranberries pairs beautifully with the tangy goat cheese.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz of fresh or plain frozen cranberries
- Zest and juice of 1/2 an orange
- 1/2 cup of regular granulated white sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Honey or maple syrup
- Fresh thyme or rosemary
- Goat cheese
- Optional: chopped walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or almonds
- Crostini, baguette, French bread, or crackers to serve
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Make the cranberry sauce by combining the cranberries, orange zest and juice, sugar, cinnamon, and honey in a saucepan. Add in some fresh thyme or rosemary for an extra herbal kick.
- Spread the cranberry sauce in an even layer in a medium baking dish.
- Cut the goat cheese into slices. If you are using a log, you can roll it in the dried cranberry mixture before baking for a more impressive presentation.
- Nestle the cheese slices into the cranberry sauce.
- Bake for 14 to 16 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is warmed through.
- If desired, broil under high heat for 1 to 2 minutes to brown the cheese (watch carefully to avoid burning).
- Garnish with fresh herbs and nuts, if using.
- Serve warm with crostini, slices of baguette or French bread, or crackers.
This appetizer can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Simply reheat in a 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
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Goat cheese and cranberry puff pastry bites
Ingredients:
- Store-bought puff pastry (1 sheet)
- Goat cheese (log-style, not crumbles)
- Milk
- Egg
- Cranberry sauce
- Thyme
Method:
- Take your puff pastry sheet and brush it with some melted butter. You can also sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar if you like, for an extra touch of sweetness and spice.
- In a small bowl, mix together the goat cheese and milk until you have a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Spoon about a tablespoon of the goat cheese mixture into the centre of each puff pastry piece. Don't worry about making it perfect!
- Chill the puff pastry pieces in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will help them maintain their shape when baked.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Brush the edges of the chilled puff pastry pieces with beaten egg. This will give them a golden, crispy finish.
- Add a teaspoon of cranberry sauce on top of the goat cheese and spread it out slightly. Sprinkle with a few thyme leaves for added flavour.
- Transfer the puff pastry bites to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. These bites are best enjoyed warm, so serve them fresh out of the oven if possible!
Tips and Variations:
- Keep things simple with plain goat cheese, or experiment with different flavours like honey, jalapeño, or blueberry.
- If you don't enjoy goat cheese, you can substitute it with cream cheese, brie, blue cheese, or even feta.
- For a more rustic appearance, don't worry about making each bite perfect. These treats will be devoured by your guests even if they are a bit misshapen!
- You can also try making these bites into pinwheels by rolling the puff pastry into a long rectangle, adding the cheese and cranberry filling, and then slicing into individual pieces.
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Cranberry goat cheese spread
Ingredients:
- Goat cheese
- Cranberries (fresh or dried)
- Orange zest and orange juice (optional)
- Sugar (optional)
- Honey (optional)
- Cinnamon (optional)
- Salt and pepper
- Pomegranate arils (for garnish, optional)
- Fresh rosemary (for garnish, optional)
Instructions:
- If you want to add a citrus twist to your spread, zest half an orange and add the zest to your bowl. You can also juice the orange and add half a cup of orange juice for extra flavor.
- If using fresh cranberries, add a little sugar to sweeten the spread. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon for a warm, spicy note.
- Place the goat cheese in a food processor and pulse until it comes together. Then, turn on the processor and let it blend until the cheese is smooth.
- Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the food processor and pulse again to combine.
- Add about a quarter cup of the cranberry sauce mixture (or more, to your taste) and pulse a few times until everything is combined. You can leave the mixture a little chunky or blend it completely for a smooth spread.
- Transfer the spread to a jar or bowl. You can cover and refrigerate it overnight or serve it immediately.
- Garnish with pomegranate arils and fresh rosemary, if desired.
- Serve with crackers, crostini, or bread for spreading.
Variations:
For a more elaborate presentation, try making a goat cheese log:
- Combine chopped pecans or walnuts, rosemary leaves, and cranberries in a small bowl or plate.
- Drizzle honey over a 4-ounce goat cheese log and spread it all over.
- Roll the goat cheese log in the cranberry mixture until it is completely covered.
- Garnish with additional pecans, cranberries, or rosemary, and serve with crackers.
You can also try baking the spread:
- Spread the goat cheese on a sheet of puff pastry.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and dried cranberries.
- Roll the pastry up like a cinnamon roll into a log.
- Cut swirls using a sharp knife and arrange them on a baking sheet.
- Bake right away or chill the swirls until you're ready to serve them.
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Frequently asked questions
A simple cranberry goat cheese recipe is a cranberry goat cheese log. All you need to do is chop up some dried cranberries, toss them with ground cinnamon, and roll your goat cheese log into the mixture. You can serve it with gluten-free crackers.
You can make baked goat cheese with cranberries, cranberry goat cheese puff pastry swirls or bites, or a whipped cranberry goat cheese spread.
If you don't enjoy goat cheese, you can use cream cheese or brie instead. You can also use canned cranberry sauce instead of fresh cranberries, or frozen cranberries as long as they have no additives.
Cranberry goat cheese is a great appetizer for the holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Eve. It can be served with crackers, bread, or toast.
