Description

These Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls are a delightful and elegant appetizer perfect for parties or holiday gatherings. Creamy goat cheese and smooth cream cheese are sweetened with honey and mildly spiced with chili flakes, then rolled in a vibrant mixture of dried cranberries, fresh herbs, crispy bacon, and roasted pecans for a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Mixture

8 oz goat cheese (at room temperature)
8 oz cream cheese (at room temperature)
2 Tbsp honey
1/4 tsp dried chili flakes
1/4 tsp kosher salt

Topping

2/3 cup dried cranberries (Craisins recommended)
1/2 cup fresh parsley (lightly chopped)
1/2 cup fresh chives (lightly chopped)
10 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1 cup roasted pecans (lightly chopped)

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Instructions

Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine goat cheese, cream cheese, honey, dried chili flakes, and kosher salt. Use an electric mixer to blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Cover the bowl and place it in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm up slightly.
Prepare Topping Mixture: Add dried cranberries to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add fresh parsley and chives and pulse 6-7 times until herbs are finely chopped. Then add crumbled cooked bacon and roasted pecans and pulse a few more times until all ingredients are finely chopped but not over-processed. Transfer this mixture to a wide shallow bowl or plate.
Form Cheese Balls: Remove the cheese mixture from the freezer. Using a small ice-cream scoop or spoon, portion out mini bite-size cheese balls evenly.
Coat Cheese Balls: Roll each cheese ball in the cranberry-pecan topping, gently pressing to ensure the mixture sticks well to the surface.
Serve or Store: Serve the cheese balls immediately as a delicious appetizer, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. They can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Make sure goat cheese and cream cheese are at room temperature for easier mixing.
If you prefer a milder spice, reduce the amount of chili flakes.
You can roast raw pecans yourself by baking them at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, for enhanced flavor.
These cheese balls can be made a few hours ahead and stored tightly covered in the refrigerator.
For a gluten-free option, verify that all ingredients, especially bacon and seasonings, are gluten-free.