Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls

Name: Goat Cheese Balls
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces soft goat cheese; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature; 1½ teaspoons cinnamon; ⅛ teaspoons salt; ¼ cup honey, divided; 1⅓ cup chopped pecans, divided; ¼ cup minced fresh parsley; ¾ cup dried cranberries, chopped

By Kelly Dixon

Published: Feb 16, 2024

Updated: Mar 28, 2024

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Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls are a hit at any gathering. These festive mini cheese truffles only take 15 minutes to make and are loaded with creamy goat cheese, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans!

Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls

Topped with a drizzle of honey, the flavor of these goat cheese balls is heavenly! They’re also great for dipping! With simple ingredients and a big burst of flavor, everyone will ask you for the recipe.

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Ingredients:

Here’s what you’ll need in terms of ingredients to breathe life into the goat cheese truffle recipe. Don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card below for precise measurements.

Soft goat cheese – If you aren’t a goat cheese person, you can replace it with cream cheese (softened at room temperature).
Cream cheese
Cinnamon
Honey – Feel free to use agave instead. It will make your truffles a bit sweeter.
Pecans – Walnuts are a great alternative.
Fresh parsley – I highly recommend using fresh parsley but dried parsley will work in a pinch. I wasn’t sure if you want fresh or dried to be the default…
Cranberries – Looking for something a little different? Try dried cherries instead.
Salt – The salt is optional but I think it adds a little something extra to these cheesy truffles.

Supplies:

Gather your supplies around you before embarking on this culinary mission. Here’s what you’ll need.

Measuring cups and spoons
Standup mixer or hand mixer
Mixing bowls
Mixing spoon or spatula
Flat non-stick surface like a cutting board

Instructions:

Build a foundation. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat together the goat cheese, cream cheese, cinnamon, Salt, and 2 tablespoons of honey until light and fluffy. Fold in 1/3 cup chopped pecans until well combined.

Make the coating. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the parsley, cranberries, and the remaining pecans.

Make the truffles. Using clean hands, roll the goat cheese mixture into 1-inch balls and then roll each ball in the cranberry-parsley mixture to coat.

Cheese truffles rolled in nuts and cranberries

Recipe Tip

If the cheese ball is a bit too soft to handle you can pop it into your fridge for about 15 minutes to harden a bit.

Chill. Arrange the truffles on a flat non-stick surface, like a cutting board, and chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes before serving.

How should I serve these?

I like arranging these appetizer bites on a plate or in a bowl alongside a little jar of honey to drizzle and toothpicks or pretzel sticks. Your guests can use the toothpicks or pretzel sticks to skewer the balls and pop them into their mouths!

Storage

Refrigerator. Once the goat cheese truffles have spent at least 30 minutes in the fridge (to firm up), arrange them in a single layer in an airtight container (if you have multiple layers, divide each with a sheet of parchment paper). Store the goat cheese truffles in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer. Arrange any leftover truffle on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Pop them in the freezer for 2 hours or until they are very firm. Transfer the truffles to a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow the goat cheese truffles to thaw in the fridge before enjoying

Goat Cheese Balls Recipe

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Goat Cheese Balls

Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls are festive mini cheese truffles loaded with creamy goat cheese, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans!

Prep Time: 20

Chill Time: 30

Total Time: 50

Servings: cheese balls

Equipment

Measuring cups and spoons
Standup mixer or hand mixer
mixing bowls
Mixing spoon or spatula
Flat non-stick surface like a cutting board

Ingredients

▢ 8 ounces soft goat cheese
▢ 8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
▢ 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
▢ ⅛ teaspoons salt
▢ ¼ cup honey, divided
▢ 1⅓ cup chopped pecans, divided
▢ ¼ cup minced fresh parsley
▢ ¾ cup dried cranberries, chopped

Instructions

Build a foundation. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat together the goat cheese, cream cheese, cinnamon, Salt, and 2 tablespoons of honey until light and fluffy. Fold in 1/3 cup chopped pecans until well combined.
Make the coating. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the parsley, cranberries, and the remaining pecans.
Make the truffles. Using clean hands, roll the goat cheese mixture into 1-inch balls and then roll each ball in the cranberry-parsley mixture to coat. If the cheese ball is a bit too soft to handle you can pop it into your fridge for about 15 minutes to harden a bit.
Chill. Arrange the truffles on a flat non-stick surface, like a cutting board, and chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Should I eat goat cheese truffle warm or cold?

These savory, cheesy truffles are best enjoyed cold. If they get too warm, the cheese will melt and they will fall apart.

Can I make this ahead of time and freeze it?

You can! Arrange the fully assembled truffles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop them in the freezer for a couple of hours to firm up. Once firm, transfer the goat cheese truffles to a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow the frozen truffles to thaw in the fridge before enjoying.

Can I make the balls larger?

You can totally make larger truffles. I don’t recommend anything past 2 inches (double), though. They will have trouble holding their shape if you try to make them any bigger.

Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls