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Cranberry goat cheese is my favorite 15-minute appetizer for fall or winter: a tangy chèvre log rolled in tart cranberries, pistachios and rosemary. No cooking required!

If you need a quick and easy appetizer, here’s one of my favorites: this Cranberry Goat Cheese log! This festive appetizer is perfect for parties, pairing the flavors of cranberry, pistachio and fresh rosemary with the tangy cheese. Drizzle honey over the top before serving for a sweet pop.

It’s quick to put together and ideal for snack tables, scooped up with crackers or crostini. I like it best as a fall appetizer or for the holidays, though of course you can enjoy it in any season!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This cranberry goat cheese requires minimal ingredients but goes big on flavor: the ideal combination for any appetizer recipe! The basic idea? You’ll warm the goat cheese to room temperature, then coat it in a mixture of cranberries and nuts. Serve it with crackers or crostini and it’s a quick way to make a fun spread. Here’s what you’ll need:

Goat cheese log (chèvre): You’ll need a large log here, and you’ll simply coat the outside with some cranberries and seasoning.
Sweetened dried cranberries (aka craisins): The dried version is perfect for coating the exterior of the log.
Pistachios: I love the green color of pistachios, but pecans or walnuts are also both good swaps.
Fresh rosemary: Only use fresh rosemary here! It adds just the right flavor accent (dried won’t work).
Honey: Drizzle it over right before serving.

Tips for Making Cranberry Goat Cheese

This cranberry goat cheese requires no real technique, but there are a few tips for success. Here’s what to know:

Make sure to bring the goat cheese to room temperature. This is important in order for the cranberries to stick to the goat cheese, and to make the goat cheese spreadable. To do so, you can leave it at room temperature for 1 hour, or microwave it for 10 seconds on one side and 5 seconds on the other. (Be careful not to melt the cheese!)
Finely chop the ingredients. You’ll want a very small, confetti-like texture.
Use your hands to evenly coat. It may take a few times of using your hands to coat the exterior of the cheese: try to evenly coat each surface (including the bottom).
Serve at room temperature with honey. Serve at room temperature so it’s easy to spread. Drizzle with honey and serve.

A Few Flavor Variations

Cranberry pecan or walnut: Swap the pistachios for chopped pecans or walnuts.
Whipped instead of rolled: Skip the log, make whipped goat cheese, and spoon the cranberry mixture over the top and drizzle with honey.
Served warm: Make it like my Blueberry Goat Cheese, baked with jam. Use any type of cranberry preserves.

What to Serve with Cranberry Goat Cheese

This cranberry goat cheese comes together beautifully There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re making it for guests:

If making in advance, allow time for it to come to room temperature. You can make the log in advance and refrigerate, but allow time for it to sit at room temperature for about 1 hour so it’s spreadable.
Serve with a small knife. This makes for easy spreading or adding to a small appetizer plate.
Add crostini, crackers, bread or other. You can make homemade crostini, or use gluten-free crackers if you’re cooking for gluten free eaters.

How to Store and Make It Ahead

You can make this cranberry goat cheese log up to 3 days ahead. Wrap it tightly and refrigerate, then pull it out 1 hour before serving to come to room temperature. Leftovers will store up to 7 days wrapped in the refrigerator.

Dietary Notes

This cranberry goat cheese recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free.