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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Mix the Cheeses: In a food processor, whip the cream cheese and goat cheese together until smooth and fluffy, ensuring there are no lumps.
- 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
