Looking for an appetizer that’s quick, easy and tastes amazing? Goat Cheese Toasts with Cranberry Compote have a tangy cheese base topped with a quick cranberry sauce to make the perfect bite!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I don’t know about you, but I’m always on the lookout snack and appetizer ideas that look great on a serving platter, taste amazing and are super easy to put together.
These little cheesy toasts are a perfectly delicious solution for game night, or any size gathering with family or friends. Or just a few for yourself with a cold glass of something.
Here’s what I love about it:
- This recipe is easy to prepare in your kitchen. These are totally no fuss but still look fancy.
- The quantity is super flexible, make a little or a lot.
- Almost any serving platter will work for this appetizer, I’ve served this on small and large sized platters.
- Other easy appetizer ideas you could serve too are Party Olives and Crispy Cauliflower Bites(so delicious) and to round out the menu, you definitely want my Lemon Artichoke Dip (which I could eat the whole dish of by myself thank you very much).
This appetizer is wonderful with these Sweet and Spicy Almonds too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s a full list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below, but here’s a few notes on the main ingredients you’ll need:
- Goat Cheese: Tangy and creamy and with the flavor amped-up as the base.
- Thyme, Lemon, Honey, Cream: These simple flavors turn the goat cheese into a spreadable and fragrant mixture.
- A Fresh Baguette: Get a long, skinny one, it’ll be sliced, drizzled with olive oil and toasted under the broiler before it’s all said and done, the perfect crunchy bite for the soft cheese and the bright compote.
Tips For Cooking Cranberries
- Fresh Cranberries: The kind in the bag in the produce section, and I always buy extra for the freezer because I make the sauce part of this recipe year-round for things like my Turkey Burger with Pepperjack and Cranberry.
- Flavorings: Never heard of putting vanilla extract in your cranberry sauce? Life-changing! Same with a little acidity such as raspberry or balsamic vinegar. Brown Sugar is another difference here, and it gives the sauce a deep deliciousness.
- Blackberries or Blueberries: This is an unusual ingredient to pair with cranberries, but trust me – it makes the taste really special and pop with a juicy, berry flavor.
Step-By-Step Instructions
There are four basic steps to making these toasts (sometimes called “cheese crostini”) and the prep can be done in 30 minutes.
Start with the cranberry mixture, as it needs to be completely chilled before using, so be sure to plan ahead. The steps are:
- Combine: Water and brown sugar to dissolve.
- Add: The whole cranberries and cook to a jammy consistency.
- Stir: Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in vanilla.
Tips For Making the Cheese Mixture
To make the whipped goat cheese, use a:
- Food processor with blade.
- Hand-held electric mixer.
- Wooden spoon.
- We’re just looking to soften the cheese up and make it really spreadable. Add some fresh lemon zest, honey and thyme and you’ve got spreadable deliciousness, ready to be spread on the toasts!
- Spread some of the goat cheese mixture on bread that’s been toasted under a broiler with a little olive oil, then top with the completely cooled cranberries and they’re ready to put on a platter and serve.
Expert Tips and Possible Substitutions
- Do yourself a favor and buy an extra bag or two of fresh cranberries when you see them at the grocery store and keep them in the freezer. They’ll keep well for at least six months.
- Cranberry compote is great on its own, but its amazing on a grilled cheese sandwich or your morning oatmeal too.
- Have absolutely no time? Use a canned whole berry cranberry sauce like this (not sponsored.)
- Regular cream cheese will work fine instead of goat cheese, it’s less tangy, but the texture is still creamy and spreadable.
Serving Ideas
- I serve the cranberry compote as a side dish beyond just November and January. Try it with Maple Roasted Squash or Chicken Marsala as an example, or alongside Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Yogurt Sauce.
- Make a stylish veggie platter with stuffed celery to go with the toasts, and a plate of these easy Butterscotch Shortbread Cookies and you’ve got a party!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use non-dairy cream and cheese instead?
Yes! Use a non-dairy cream cheese and also creamer. Easy to find both in well-stocked grocery stores.
What if I can’t find Raspberry Vinegar or don’t want to buy it?
No problem. Just use a little balsamic vinegar instead.
How long will the cranberry sauce last and how to store it?
It’ll be fine for 2-3 days refrigerated in an airtight container.
More Recipes To Try:
- Butternut Squash Bruschetta: This is a crazy good way to enjoy leftover squash.
- Vegetable Sides to Serve with Turkey: A wonderful list of favorites.
- California Crunchy Sushi Roll Recipe: An easy and delicious appetizer.
- Sweet and Spicy Almonds: The best sweet and salty snack with drinks.
- Best Snacks to have with Wine or Mocktails: So many delicious ideas.
- Fruit Toast: Satisfying and super fresh.
- Cherry Oatmeal: A really delicious way to start the day.
- Lemon Artichoke Dip: An easy & delicious recipe.
- My Favorite Cranberry Sauce: Full of wonderful flavor, this is just a great recipe.
- Turkey Burger with Pepperjack and Cranberry: A very good burger, with or without the cranberry sauce.
- Cherry Puff Pastry Turnovers: These are incredible! Super easy, too.
If you’ve tried this Goat Cheese Toasts with Cranberry Compote, or any other recipe on Studio Delicious, please rate the recipe and & I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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Goat Cheese Toasts With Cranberry Compote
Goat Cheese Toasts with Cranberry Compote are a tasty go-to appetizer for winter holidays or gatherings.
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Servings: 24
Calories: 81kcal
Ingredients
- FOR THE CRANBERRIES
- 2 cups Cranberries, fresh, uncooked
- ½ cup Water
- ½ cup Brown sugar, dark lightly packed
- ⅓ cup Blackberries or blueberries
- 2 tablespoons Raspberry vinegar or Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons Vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp Salt
- FOR THE GOAT CHEESE
- 8 oz Goat cheese
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest, finely grated
- 2 teaspoons Honey
- 1 teaspoon Thyme leaves, fresh plus more for garnish
- ⅛ Salt
- 1 ½ tbsp Heavy cream
- 1 Baguette bread, sliced to 1/2" thick
Instructions
- MAKE THE CRANBERRY COMPOTEPlace the cranberries with the water and brown sugar in a medium nonstick saucepan on medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.Continue to cook at a simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. As the cranberries cook, they'll sizzle and pop, for about 5 minutes. Add the blackberries or blueberries if using and the vinegar and continue cooking with occasional stirring for 5-8 more minutes, until the liquid is mostly absorbed but still syrupy and a little loose. The mixture will thicken as it cools. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and pinch of salt, set aside to cool it down, then place in the refrigerator until completely cool and the mixture is set. Stir before using.
- MAKE THE WHIPPED GOAT CHEESETo whip the goat cheese, use a food processor with blade, or a handheld electric blender and a medium-sized bowl. You can also mix with a sturdy spoon, just make sure your cheese is softened a bit before starting. To the food processor or medium bowl, add the the goat cheese, lemon zest, honey, thyme, and salt and pulse or blend with hand-held mixer to combine and lighten up the mixture, just mixing together until the ingredients are combined. Slowly drizzle in the cream, starting with one tablespoon and adding tiny amounts as needed. You just want a light, spreadable consistency for a knife or a spoon.
- TOAST THE BAGUETTESSlice the baguette into half-inch pieces with a serrated knife. Drizzle a little olive oil on top of each sliced piece, then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Broil until the toasts are lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes depending on your oven.
- ASSEMBLE THE TOASTS Spoon a generously rounded teaspoon of the goat cheese mixture on each toast. Spoon on a generous teaspoon of the cranberry compote on top. Adjust the amounts to your liking depending on the size of your toast. Garnish with a sprig of chopped fresh thyme leaves and serve!
Notes
- Use bagged organic fresh cranberries that are approximately 12 ounces in weight and available in the produce department. Grab an extra bag or two for the freezer.
- The cranberry compote is great on its own, on a grilled cheese sandwich or your morning oatmeal.
- Have absolutely no time? Use canned cranberry sauce, but not the jelled kind.
- Use a non-dairy cream in place of a full fat cream instead if you’d like.
- It’s fine to use balsamic vinegar instead of raspberry vinegar, and it gives the cranberries and deep, satisfying flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 113mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
Tips for Success with Every Recipe
- Super important to read the whole recipe before you begin
- Pay attention to the ingredient list and photos for the recipe
- If possible, prep your ingredients a little before you start
- Always use a sharp knife for safety
- Use the size of pan called for in the recipe
- For savory recipes, taste and season as you go
- Buy fresh, organic ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible
Did you make this recipe?Show me! Tag @studiodelicious or use the hashtag #studiodeliciouseats!
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This text of this post was updated with in November, 2024.
These look like a great, festive party app for the holidays. I love that the tartness of cranberry is balanced with goat cheese. Nice combo!
I am in love with the combo. Sounds amazing
I love appetizer dinners we make at home and I need to put these on the menu. I love the sweet and savory flavors in this! If you are feeling adventurous I have a recipe to make your own goat cheese from a popular brand of goat milk that is sold in stores. Here is a link: https://ethnicspoon.com/how-to-make-goat-cheese-recipe-chevre/
Thanks for sharing!
Great, thanks for the tip!
The goat cheese includes thyme and honey, that sounds exciting. So many wonderful winter flavors so well combined in these little bites. I can see why they would be a great crowd pleaser.
Yum I’m loving this appetizer! Simple, and I know with my friends they would be gone in minutes
Now that is my favorite appetizer! I love goats cheese and cranberry. It’s an amazing combination.. Yum!
Sweet, creamy and crunchy – a great appetizer for any party. Can’t wait to make these.
What a yummy looking appetizer. I simply love goat cheese and we just don’t purchase it often enough, as far as I’m concerned. I like the bit of sweetness along with the creamy cheese.
Whipped goat cheese is just soooo swoon-worthy! Love how you’ve paired it with items that a lot of people have leftover from the holidays. Looks like such a great flavor combo!
Lovely ingredient combination for the goat cheese spread. Thyme, lemon, honey….incredible !
Thank you!
Oh my goodness, these look so delicious! Great for an appetizer or even as snacks. And I must say, I absolutely love your dishes!
Thank you!
These are fabulous little party treats! The flavor combo is to die for!
Holy moly! This is the best holiday appetizer. Perfect combination of flavors and colors!
Thanks and Yes!
I loved it! Perfect for holiday entertaining!
Thanks so much 🙂
Super yum! I could eat these every day! I love the sweetness of the compote with the creamy, tangy flavor of the goat cheese and the crispy crunch of the toast! Delish!
Right? Thanks so much
So easy but wows everyone! We all love this.
thanks so much!
I am super excited about this. Making this weekend. Looks and sounds so amazing.
Oh good! Hope you like them :P)