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–+ servings

Orange Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles

Orange Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls
Orange Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles only take 15 minutes to bring together and are the perfect easy make ahead holiday appetizer.  Made with cranberries, pecans, rosemary and fresh orange juice, these festive mini cheese balls are the hit of every party!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 15 minutes
Serving Size 24

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces goat cheese
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons honey
  • 1/2 orange juice and zest
  • 1/2 cup parsley small chopped
  • 2 - 3 sprigs rosemary diced
  • 6 ounces dried cranberries chopped
  • 2 cups pecans small chopped

Instructions

  • To make your Orange Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls start by lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper.  
  • Next, add goat cheese and cream cheese to a large mixing bowl and mix until light and creamy. Add in the cinnamon, honey, orange juice and zest and then combine until well incorporated. Stir in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans and set aside. 
  • Using a small food processor or cutting by hand, chop up the parsley, rosemary, cranberries and pecans. Mix well to combine and then add to a large bowl. Grab a spoon or a cookie scoop and scoop out a round ball of the goat cheese filling and lightly toss it in the cranberry topping mixture. Lightly roll it around until the entire mini cheese ball is coated in the cranberry herb topping.
  • Move the Orange Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls to the parchment paper lined baking sheet and continue until all the truffles have been made. Move the cookie sheet to the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.

Notes

PRO TIPS FOR MAKING PERFECT GOAT CHEESE BALLS

  • Using a cookie scoop is such an easy way to make these Orange Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls.  If you don't already have one, they are very inexpensive and are a versatile time saver in the kitchen
  • When grabbing up your goat cheese filling, make your mini cheese balls a bit smaller than you think you want them.  The outside topping bulks the mini cheese ball truffles up quite a bit.
  • Lay down parchment paper for quick clean up and a no stick barrier.
  • Be sure you refrigerate these Orange Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles for at least one hour before serving.  The orange flavor needs time to come out. 
  • These are a great make ahead appetizer as they can be made a day in advance but just be sure to store them in an airtight container if you do.