Cranberry Honey Goat Cheese Appetizer with Sage and Toasted Pecans Recipe

Introduction

This Goat Cheese Appetizer brings together creamy goat cheese and cream cheese with sweet cranberry and honey flavors, accented by crunchy pecans and fragrant sage. It’s an elegant and easy bite perfect for entertaining or a special snack.

Ingredients

• 4 oz cream cheese
• 4 oz goat cheese
• ¼ cup cranberry sauce or cranberry relish
• ⅓ cup honey
• Sage leaves
• Flaky salt
• Toasted pecans
• Ritz crackers

Instructions

1. Step 1: Blend the cranberry sauce or relish until smooth. Heat it in a pan over medium heat and cook for 2-3 minutes until the liquid evaporates. Remove from heat and stir in the honey. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Fry the sage leaves in a small amount of oil over low heat until they become translucent and fragrant. Remove and drain on paper towels.
3. Step 3: In a food processor, whip together the cream cheese and goat cheese until smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4: Pipe or spoon the cheese mixture onto Ritz crackers. Create a small well on top of each with a spoon and add a spoonful of the cranberry honey mixture. Top with flaky salt, toasted pecans, and fried sage leaves.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh sage leaves for frying to enhance flavor and crispness.
• Substitute toasted walnuts or almonds for pecans if preferred.
• Try using fig jam instead of cranberry sauce for a different fruity note.
• For easier serving, prepare the cheese mixture in a piping bag ahead of time.

Storage

Store the whipped cheese mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble the appetizers just before serving to keep crackers crisp. Leftover cranberry honey can be refrigerated for up to a week. Reheat the cranberry honey gently before use if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this appetizer ahead of time?

You can prepare the cheese mixture and cranberry honey up to a day in advance, but assemble the crackers just before serving to prevent sogginess.

What can I use if I don’t have a food processor?

You can mix the cream cheese and goat cheese by hand using a fork or hand mixer, just be sure to whip well for a smooth texture.

Cranberry Honey Goat Cheese Appetizer with Sage and Toasted Pecans Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 124 reviews

• Author: Thomas
• Total Time: 18 minutes
• Yield: 12 appetizer bites 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Goat Cheese Appetizer combines creamy goat and cream cheese with a sweet and tangy cranberry honey topping, crispy fried sage, toasted pecans, and flaky salt served on Ritz crackers for an elegant and flavorful bite-perfect starter.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese Mixture

• 4 oz cream cheese
• 4 oz goat cheese

Toppings

• ¼ cup cranberry sauce or cranberry relish
• ⅓ cup honey
• Sage leaves (fresh, for frying and garnish)
• Flaky salt
• Toasted pecans

Serving

• Ritz crackers (or equivalent buttery round crackers)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Cranberry Honey: Blend your cranberry relish or sauce until smooth and no longer chunky. Pour it into a pan and cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes to evaporate excess liquid. Remove from heat and stir in the honey. Set aside to cool and thicken.
2. Fry the Sage: In a small pan over low heat, fry fresh sage leaves until they become translucent and crisp but not burnt. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
3. Mix the Cheeses: In a food processor, whip the cream cheese and goat cheese together until smooth and fluffy, ensuring there are no lumps.
4. Assemble the Appetizers: Using a piping bag or spoon, pipe or dollop the cheese mixture onto each Ritz cracker. Make a small well or indentation on top of the cheese to hold the cranberry honey. Spoon cranberry honey onto the cheese well, then garnish with a sprinkle of flaky salt, a few toasted pecans, and a fried sage leaf on each cracker.

Notes

• Use fresh sage leaves for best flavor and texture when frying.
• Ensure the cranberry sauce or relish is well blended to avoid chunky texture.
• Toasted pecans can be quickly toasted in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant.
• Serve immediately after assembly for the freshest texture and flavor.
• Ritz crackers or buttery round crackers work best for a crisp, slightly salty base.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: goat cheese appetizer, cream cheese appetizer, cranberry honey, fried sage, pecans, party snacks, easy appetizers, holiday appetizer