Cranberry Goat Cheese Dip

Alicia Calvo, MPH, RDN, CDCES, CEDRD

This Cranberry Goat Cheese appetizer is an easy 15 minute recipe perfect for any holiday party!  The creamy whipped goat cheese and cream cheese is topped with a cranberry-apple sauce and pecans and makes a delicious dip served with crackers or crusty French bread.

Prep time: 5 min. Cook time:  10 min. Total time: 15 min.

Yield 10 - 12 servings

Ingredients:

1 cup water

1/3 cup sugar

1-12 oz. package fresh cranberries

1 Envy apple, peeled and chopped

1 tsp. cinnamon, ground

1/2 tsp. ginger, ground

¼ tsp. cloves, ground

8 oz. chevre goat cheese

1 Tbsp. honey

½ cup pecans, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1.     Bring water and sugar to a boil until sugar dissolves. Add cranberries, apple, cinnamon, and ginger and return to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop, stirring occasionally.  Let cool completely. Then transfer to a serving bowl, Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

2.     Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat goat cheese and cream cheese together.

3.     Spread goat cheese mixture over a small platter and drizzle with honey. Cover with 1 cup cranberry sauce that has allowed to cool and thicken for a few hours or overnight.  Then top with chopped pecans. (Use left-over cranberry sauce on top Greek plain yogurt for breakfast or a snack or on a turkey sandwich).   

4.     Serve the dip with crackers or crusty French bread. 

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Nutrition Facts:

Serving Size: 2 Tbsp.

Calories: 134

Total Carbohydrate: 6 g

Grams protein:  5

Grams fat:  10

Equivalents: 1 medium fat protein, 1 fat, and ½ fruit