We’re in love with this Cranberry Goat Cheese Log with Walnuts, Pecans, and Parsley! This festive holiday appetizer is a total crowd pleaser for the holidays; it’s quick, easy, and delicious!
Cranberry Goat Cheese Log with Walnuts, Pecans, and Parsley
Yes I’m sticking with that title. It’s a mouthful and after one bite you’ll want another. And another. And then you’ll walk away and pretend like you’re done but we KNOW you’re coming back for another bite.
At least that’s how I operate at parties.
I try to play it cool, do the whole socialization thing, hug hands, shake babies, all that jazz, but I’m as transparent as a jellyfish. It’s allllll about the food.
If I get cornered by a friend who doesn’t quite know the drill by now, Paul is usually quick to step up to the plate and grab me something to eat. I love that man. I’m also still continuing my love affair with cranberries, if you haven’t noticed by now.
This saucy, sweet, and savory cheese log is quick, easy, and is sure to put the “HO-ly cow this is good!” in your holiday spread.
Of course you don’t need to wait until Christmas or Thanksgiving to make this bad boy.
Serve it up all season long for any and every party and potluck that comes your way.
Ready for the recipe? Let’s do this!
Be sure to print out a few extra since people are bound to ask for it after they realize how ridiculously easy this impressive (and scrumptious!) party appetizer is to make.
Enjoy!
Cranberry Goat Cheese Log with Walnuts, Pecans, and Parsley
Ingredients
- 8 oz log of your favorite goat cheese
- 1/4-1/2 cup leftover cranberry sauce
- 1/4-1/3 cup dried cranberries chopped
- ¼ cup walnuts chopped
- ¼ cup pecans chopped
- 1 TBSP dried or fresh parsley plus extra to taste
TASTY EXTRAS
- a sprinkle of cinnamon
- a drizzle of honey
- crackers, crostini, and veggies, for spreading and scooping
Instructions
- Remove goat cheese from wrapper and allow to soften to room temperature.
- Warm up your favorite cranberry sauce [hello great use for leftover sauce!] and spread it on a cheese tray or serving platter.
- Next chop your nuts and cranberries and mix together along with parsley.
- Roll your goat cheese in the mixture, pressing gently to coat.
- Set the festive goat cheese log atop the cranberry sauce and surround with all your favorite crackers, crostini, and veggies!
- Feel free to get a little trashy and sprinkle any leftover nuts all over the tray. Hello edible confetti!
- Ohmygosh and please please please take this baby over the top with a nice hearty drizzle of honey. It’s divine.
Notes
Nutrition
Q: Can I use different nuts to coat the goat cheese?
You can use all pecans, all walnuts, or opt for a different nut entirely! Finely chopped pistachio is a tasty addition as well as chopped almonds. If all you have in your pantry is a bag of candied nuts, that will be absolutely delicious too with an extra kiss of savory sweetness to every bite. Yum!
Q: Can I use cream cheese in place of goat cheese?
Cream cheese is an easy peasy swap and you can totally use it in place of the goat cheese if desired. You can even make one goat cheese log and one cream cheese log for choosier guests if needed – both varieties are delicious!
more awesome appetizers for your holiday entertaining
- Honey Apricot and Almond Goat Cheese Log
- Mini Candied Pecan Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls (helloooo party snacks!)
- Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Appetizer via Cooking on the Home Front
- Four Cheese Baked Artichoke Dip
If you get a chance to try this Cranberry Goat Cheese Log, let me know!
You can leave me a comment here (LOVE checking those daily!) or tag @PEASandCRAYONS on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creations. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
Questions & Reviews
I made this for Christmas Eve and there was a teeny bit left. There where only 8 of us. It is amazingly delicious. I am having company this weekend and going to serve it. What a keeper recipe. Were in the Midwest so we feel can still serve it in February. Do you think I could make the night before?
I’m so glad you loved the recipe Cheryl! I always make my cranberry sauce in advance for this recipe. The nuts will soften quite a bit from being pressed into the goat cheese and chilled overnight (it’s most impressive the first day though I always scarf the leftovers eagerly!) so your best bet is to have all the ingredients chopped and prepped in advance (just toss them in a little baggie and leave it on the counter), as the assembly will be super duper easy the day of, and absolutely quick. Just about 2 minutes of assembly to press it together!
I made this for Thanksgiving and my daughter told me I HAVEto bring this Christmas Eve. The drizzle of honey is what sets this apart. I did use pistachios because I love the cranberry and pistachio flavor profile. Easy, beautiful, and soooo good. Thank you!
Sounds wonderful, Jenn! I’m going to make it for Christmas.
I love your blog. You have the best recipes! Thanks so much.
no mention of how long it keeps in the fridge after combined? Shelf life? Have a party in 1 wk. did I make it too early?
Hi Corina Lee! I suggest serving after combined. The nuts will soften quite a bit from being made in advance (it’s most impressive the first day though I always scarf the leftovers eagerly!) so your best bet is to have all the ingredients chopped and prepped in advance, as the assembly will be super duper easy the day of, and absolutely quick. Just about 2 minutes of assembly to press it together!
Hi Jenn. I tasted your goat cheese appetiter at my friends dinner. Absolutely loved it!! Infact kept telling everyone it’s like a bucket list.. one must have it in ones lifetime..my friend had added a lot of cinnamon n honey.. wen should I add d honey n cinnamon?
Thank you Lats! I’m beyond thrilled you’re loving the recipe and thank you for the super sweet comment! For the cinnamon and honey, it can be added whenever you’d like but my favorite is to sprinkle the goat cheese log in cinnamon before rolling it in the dried cranberries, parsley, and nuts.Then I’ll drizzle the honey over the whole thing at the end just before serving. I’m also a huge fan of using honeyed goat cheese from my grocery store when they have it available, which is basically just goat cheese with honey blended in. xoxo
I just made this and I andded cream cheese to stretch it out the recipe . I added almonds, walnuts , pecans cranberries. I can’t wait to make this again for the holidays!!!! Yumm!
Love the addition of cream cheese! So glad you enjoyed the recipe Patricia! xoxo
Oh my goodness, I made this as a “test run” for a holiday cheeseboard and it was such a hit! The flavor combo in the goat cheese log is incredible! Thank you so much for this!
Thanks Amanda!
Absolutely gorgeous! I love that you included parsley. Such a fresh underrated herb!
Thank you Mimi!
Favorite goat cheese?? Thanks!
Hey Karen! I’m super boring and buy the store brand log on the regular. For me that’s Publix brand 🙂 I also ADORE the little Belle Chevre tubs they sell in the fancy cheese section! Their honeyed breakfast cheese is basically spreadable heaven and such a fun addition to a cheese tray or even just spread on crackers or toast! <3
This has all of my mother’s favorite goodies. She is getting married and we are having a small reception and I think this is a perfect appetizer! How far in advance could this be made and still taste fresh? Or do you need to do it the same day?
Hey Cathy! I hope she adores it! The nuts will stale a bit from being made in advance (it’s most impressive the first day though I always scarf the leftovers eagerly!) so your best bet is to have all the ingredients chopped and prepped in advance, as the assembly will be super duper easy the day of, and absolutely quick. Just about 2 minutes of assembly to press it together!
How many ounces is considered a large goat cheese log?
Hey Cathy! 8 ounces is my store’s standard “large” and 4 ounces is the half log. Hope that helps — I can’t recall seeing one larger than 8 oz so far! 🙂
sorry for my mistakes, my computer swallows whole words!
Oh gosh so does mine! I type so fast that entire words get away from me sometimes! xo
I will definitely make this pretty soon – looks so delicious!
And….thank you, thank you, thank you for keeping your blog entries that short an concise!
I really don’t like having to scroll down for ages, past hundreds of one and the same dish only from different angles and in different sizes until – finally – I get to the recipe. So again, thank you!
Thanks for your sweet words Inez! I’ll try to continue to keep the posts on the shorter side with only an occasional long tale, haha – I completely understand what you mean! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
WOW! This recipes looks and sounds amazing! I’m going to have to incorporate this into my Thanksgiving menu. 🙂
Excuse me while I stop drooling. This would be so perfect for a Christmas party.
I just forwarded this to my mate who is hosting a brunch this weekend. This will be made. And eaten mostly by me. You genius, you.
Dude I didn’t even know goat cheese came in a log! I get the crumbles!
This is my kinda party appetizer though..looks so fancy but so easy!
Love your jellyfish-ness! <3
I loooove goat cheese… I will have to try this! Looks great.
Thanks Sam!!
wow that looks delicious! xo jillian
This is fabulous! So easy yet totally delicious. My favorite kind of food.
Easy recipes are essential with kiddos and crazy schedules! <3 love them so
I’m pretty sure I would stand next to this cheese log all night! Looks so lovely, and I’m sure is super tasty.
I love goat cheese.
I love everything about this! Sounds great for a holiday party!
This is gorgeous! What an easy way to impress your guests!
Thanks Hannah!