Whipped Goat Cheese with Cranberries
This Whipped Goat Cheese with Cranberries is a creamy, tangy, and subtly sweet holiday appetizer that comes together in minutes. Light, airy goat cheese pairs perfectly with bright, tart cranberries for an elegant spread that’s simple to make and festive enough for any gathering.
There’s something wonderfully simple yet undeniably elegant about Whipped Goat Cheese with Cranberries, and it’s exactly the kind of appetizer that shines during the holiday season. Creamy, tangy goat cheese whipped to cloud-like perfection pairs beautifully with sweet-tart cranberries, creating a festive spread that looks impressive but comes together in minutes.
Whether you’re hosting a gathering, bringing a dish to a party, or just craving a seasonal snack, this is the kind of recipe that instantly elevates any table with very little effort.
Looking for more festive appetizer ideas? Check out my Roasted Shrimp Cocktail, Citrus Marinated Olives and Feta, Whipped Feta Dip, and Rosemary Honey Roasted Nuts!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Effortlessly Elegant - with minimal ingredients and quick prep, this appetizer looks and tastes like something from a restaurant.
- Perfect for the Holidays - the sweet-tart cranberries and creamy goat cheese bring festive color and flavor to any gathering.
- Make-ahead Friendly - you can whip the goat cheese and cranberry chutney in advance and add the cranberries just before serving.
- Versatile and crowd-pleasing - serve it with crostini, crackers, or veggies, or pair it with charcuterie boards and holiday spreads.
Ingredients
Cranberries - Provide bright, tart flavor and a festive pop of color.
Sugar - Sweetens the cranberries and balances their natural tartness.
Ground Cinnamon - Adds warm, cozy spice that complements the cranberry topping.
Orange Marmalade - Brings citrusy sweetness and helps create a glossy, flavorful cranberry mixture.
Pecans - Add a crunchy, nutty contrast to the creamy whipped goat cheese.
Lemon Juice - this adds a tartness to the cranberry sauce to balance out the sugar and marmalade.
Goat Cheese - The rich, tangy base that whips into a light, airy, irresistibly creamy spread.
Maple Syrup - Adds natural sweetness with a hint of caramel-like depth.
Olive Oil - Smooths and softens the goat cheese while adding subtle richness.
Salt and Black Pepper - Enhance all the flavors and balance the sweetness of the cranberries.
Variations
Different Nuts - swap pecans for toasted walnuts, pistachios, pine nuts, or almonds.
Different Sweetener - you can use honey instead of maple syrup in the whipped goat cheese.
Make it Spicy - you can add a jalapeño to the cranberries or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Add Herbs - you can add some herbs to the whipped goat cheese like thyme, rosemary, or chives.
Add Holiday Spice - Add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or allspice to the cranberries for a deeper, more complex holiday spice profile.
Step by Step Instructions
Photo 1. Add the cranberries, sugar, and cinnamon to an 8x8" baking dish.
Photo 2. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Let cool.
Photo 3. Add the marmalade, pecans, and lemon juice, and stir well to combine.
Photo 4. Add the goat cheese, maple syrup, olive oil, salt, and pepper to a food processor and puree until creamy. Spread the goat cheese out on the serving platter and then top with the cranberry sauce. Top with chopped green onions. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
Use room-temperature goat cheese - for the creamiest texture, use room temp goat cheese. Cold goat cheese won’t whip smoothly, so let it soften before blending.
Add a splash of cream or milk if needed - if the mixture feels too thick, a tablespoon or two of liquid helps achieve that light, airy consistency.
Serving Suggestions - crisp crostini, hearty crackers, and even sliced apples pair beautifully with the creamy dip and make for a more dynamic presentation.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can whip the goat cheese and prep the cranberry chutney up to 2 days in advance — just store them separately covered in the refrigerator and add the cranberry topping right before serving.
Cream cheese, ricotta, or whipped feta all make great substitutes, though the flavor will be slightly different.
Use room-temperature cheese and whip it for at least 1–2 minutes. The olive oil helps make it super creamy, too.
A: Crostini, crackers, baguette slices, sliced apples, or even a charcuterie board all pair beautifully.
Other Appetizers To Consider...
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Whipped Goat Cheese with Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
Cranberry Chutney
- 1 package fresh cranberries
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup orange marmalade
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- juice from 1 lemon
Whipped Goat Cheese
- 8 ounce log of goat cheese
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- pepper, to taste
- chopped green onions for garnish and flavor
Instructions
Cranberry Chutney
- Preheat oven o 350 degrees F.
- Add the cranberries, sugar, and cinnamon to an 8x8" baking dish.
- Cover with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Let cool for 20-25 minutes.
- Stir in the orange marmalade, cinnamon, and pecans.
Whipped Goat Cheese
- Add the goat cheese, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper to a food processor and puree, about 1-2 minutes, until fluffy and whipped.
- Spread the goat cheese out on a serving plate and then top with the cranberry chutney.
- Garnish with chopped green onions.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
