Cranberry Jam with Goat Cheese Spread is an elegant yet easy-to-make appetizer for your holiday table. It’s tart and creamy and wonderful for your *charcuterie board.
For a holiday appetizer that’s sure to impress, try this Cranberry Jam with Goat Cheese Spread. The unique combination of flavors—from the tart, slightly sweet cranberry jam to the rich, creamy goat cheese mixture—makes it perfect for festive gatherings or cozy nights. Best of all, it’s easy to make and adds a lovely seasonal touch to any table.
This is not your typical cloyingly canned cranberry sauce. We use fresh cranberries, a little rose water to boost their flavor and only enough sugar to cut some of the cranberry’s natural tartness. White onion and thyme are added for a more savory flavor.
The spread is also very easy to prepare. It’s simply creamy goat cheese, cream cheese, and unsalted butter with more thyme. Of course, you are welcome to double the quantity.
This recipe is also wonderful if you don’t want to make a full recipe of cranberry sauce. You can use the “leftover” cranberries for this appetizer. Cranberries freeze beautifully and are perfect for making this. So you don’t have to make a lot of cranberry sauce that becomes a science experiment in your refrigerator; make half, and make this appetizer.
Easy to put Together
For the creamy spread, combine goat cheese, cream cheese, butter, and thyme. The mixture is rich and smooth, with the distinct tang of goat cheese softened by cream cheese and butter. This base pairs beautifully with the cranberry jam, balancing the jam’s bright flavors with its own luxurious texture.
Serve this spread with toasted baguette slices or crackers. The cranberry jam’s vibrant color and the creamy cheese spread make a visually stunning presentation that will wow guests at your next gathering. Enjoy this holiday appetizer that looks elegant, tastes amazing, and is sure to become a new favorite!
What to Serve with Cranberry Jam with Goat Cheese Spread
You can, of course, serve this by itself. I like adding it to a *charcuterie board with celery stuffed with blue cheese, spicy ham rolls, thinly sliced cheeses and meats, and a variety of crackers. It goes very well with dry white wine or sparkling water.
Cranberry Jam with Goat Cheese Spread Recipe
Email Me the Recipe
Cranberry Jam with Goat Cheese Spread
Equipment
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Ingredients
~~ — Cranberry Jam — ~~
- 6 ounce Cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 3 tablespoon Sugar
- ¼ cup Onion, sliced
- 1 teaspoon Rose Water
- 1 tablespoon Water
- 1 teaspoon Thyme, crushed
~~ — Goat Cheese Spread — ~~
- 4 ounce Goat Cheese
- 8 ounce Cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon Thyme, crushed
- 2 tablespoon Butter, unsalted
Instructions
Make the Cranberry Jam
- Mise en place
- 6 ounce CranberriesPut the cranberries in a sauté pan on low.
- 3 tablespoon SugarAdd the sugar.
- 1/4 cup OnionAdd the onion.
- 1 teaspoon Rose Water, 1 tablespoon WaterAdd the rose water and water. If you are using fresh cranberries, increase the water to 2 tablespoons.
- 1 teaspoon ThymeBring the mixture to a boil then add the thyme.
- Continue to boil until all the cranberries have popped. Stir occasionally and let simmer until the liquid has thickened.
- Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
Make the Goat Cheese Spread
- 4 ounce Goat Cheese, 8 ounce Cream cheese, 1 teaspoon Thyme, 2 tablespoon ButterMix the goat cheese, cream cheese, thyme and butter together in a small food processor until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Plating
- Put the spread and jam into separate bowls and serve with crackers.
