Mini Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls
These cheese balls are the perfect size and taste amazing. They blend creamy and crunchy with wonderful flavor notes from chives and cranberries. Make them any time of the year, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are beautiful and won’t disappoint.
Equipment
- Wax paper
- Small plate
Ingredients
- 1/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp Pecans , divided (See Notes)
- 1/4 Cup Dried cranberries , chopped
- 2 1/2 Tbsp Goat cheese , room temperature
- 2 Tbsp Cream cheese , room temperature
- 1 Tbsp Chives , thinly sliced
- 2 1/2 tsp Honey , divided
Instructions
- Place pecans in a small frying pan over medium heat, and toast for about 5 minutes. You will be able to smell the pecans. They will not be any browner than when you started. Let cool. Dice the pecans.
- Add 1/4 cup cooled diced pecans, chives, and dried cranberries onto a small plate or bowl. Mix and set aside.
- In a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, beat the goat cheese, cream cheese, and 1 1/2 tsp honey until fluffy and light. Use a handheld mixer or immersion blender with a whisk attachment. Beat for about a minute. Add 2 Tbsp pecans and mix with a spatula. Chill for 15 minutes.
- Measure 1 Tbsp for each cheese ball and roll into a ball. Place on wax paper on a small plate. Chill for 15 minutes.
- Roll the cheese balls in the pecans, cranberries, and chives until evenly coated. Serve cold or at room temperature. Drizzle with 1 tsp honey. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Notes
Toasting the pecans brings out more flavor and helps them to stay crunchy.
Serving suggestions and optional ingredients are not calculated as part of the nutritional facts.
Nutrition
Serving: 2 BallsCalories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 7gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 140mgFiber: 4gSugar: 28gCalcium: 70mgIron: 1.2mg