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These Rosemary Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles make an easy, make-ahead appetizer, perfect for topping a cracker, crostini or wedge of warm pita. Everyone goes crazy over these goat cheese truffles!
Recently, I helped co-host a baby shower for a sweet friend. There were lots of delicious "small bites", but it seemed that these fun, little Rosemary Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles were the "belles of the ball" that day. Well... not really; the mom-to-be and baby-on-the-way were the true stars at the festive event, but everyone did seem to love these delicious miniature cheeseballs.
Easy to put together
The combination of sweet and spicy pecans, fresh rosemary, bits of dried fruit (I used golden raisins, dried cranberries and currants, but other blends would also work) and goat cheese is quite heavenly.
Lots of options
The pretty little balls of deliciousness are perfect for topping a cracker, crostini or wedge of warm pita, but these Rosemary Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles are also great served all on their own, for a low carb appetizer.
I love that these little nibbles can be made earlier in the day, which means less stress at the last minute. I'm all for that! Oh, and they're not only wonderful for entertaining, but they'd be perfect for picnics and potlucks, eliciting lots of oooohs and aaaahs!
How do you make these Rosemary Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles? It's fun! First, toast a handful of chopped pecans with a bit of olive oil, honey and a tiny splash of Sriracha for a touch of heat. Once they're cooled, combine them with finely chopped fresh parsley (for color), rosemary and any combination of chopped, dried fruit. That's your coating mixture. All that's left is to scoop and roll chilled goat cheese (I use a small cookie scoop), then roll the small balls in the pecan mixture. If you're making them in advance, just place the "truffles" on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate till about 30 minutes prior to serving.
Are you planning a brunch, lunch or dinner party? Got a picnic or potluck coming up? How about that next get together at work? Pin this Rosemary Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles recipe, pick up the ingredients next time you're at the market and have a blast scooping and rolling! They just might be "the belles of the ball", well at least in a culinary sense!
- 6 ounces plain goat cheese softened for an hour at room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened for an hour at room temperature
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon Sriracha
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons currants*
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries*
- 2 tablespoons golden raisins*
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
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Combine softened goat cheese and cream cheese in a medium size bowl. Whisk together until smooth and creamy, then refrigerate for at least one hour or place mixture in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
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While cheese is chilling, preheat oven to 325˚F. Line a small sheet pan with parchment paper.
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Combine pecans, oil, honey and Sriracha on the prepared pan. Bake for 3 minutes then remove pan from oven and stir well. Return to oven and bake another 3-5 minutes or until pecans are golden brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with kosher salt. Toss and set aside to cool.
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Combine cooled pecans, dried fruit, chopped rosemary and chopped parsley on a dinner plate. Set aside.
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Scoop up 1 tablespoon size portions of the chilled cheese mixture** and roll into balls (the balls will be a bit sticky, but chilling helps make it less sticky). Drop the ball onto the plate with the pecan coating and gently roll the cheese ball around in the mixture, patting it into the cheese, until it is fully coated. At this point you can reshape your balls into nicer circles, if they have become misshapen. Place on a clean dinner plate and place in the refrigerator until 30 minutes prior to serving. Serve with crackers, crostini or pita wedges or on their own for a low carb appetizer.
Adapted from Amy in the Kitchen
Makes about 24 truffles
* Use any combination of dried fruit that you like or all the same kind. Dried cherries are wonderful too!
** I use this cookie scoop for making the truffles. It makes the job really easy and the truffles all uniform size.
cathleen | myculinarymission says
These are incredible!! So easy and delicious!! Thank you!
Rose| Happy Ramblings blog says
Dear Chris, these truffels look delicious! I have put them on my list for Christmas to take to my sister's as part of the cheese board. Thanks for sharing. Hugs Rose x
Chris Scheuer says
I think you'll love them Rose!
Marilyn says
Hi Chris, we made the "belles of the ball" for our Thanksgiving dinner and they were a real hit!!!! Thanks.
Chris Scheuer says
So glad you enjoyed them Marilyn!
Shoni says
These are so pretty and we made a couple extra just to try...DELICIOUS! Thank you so much 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
So glad you enjoyed them Shoni!
Kyra says
OOOhhh. I'm in charge of Thanksgiving appetizers and there are some non-meat eaters attending. I think these will be a perfect item to add to my list! Looks delish and so festive!
Chris Scheuer says
Glad you like them Kyra! Happy early Thanksgiving!
Suzi says
Thanks for the great recipe, Chris! I served these at my book club...minus the crackers because we have some diet restrictions to be careful of. Instead, I put each ball into a small muffin cup. They were beautiful and tasty on their own.
Chris Scheuer says
Oh, that's awesome, I wouldn't have thought of serving them on their own but now you've made me think they might be fun in a salad too. Thanks Suzi!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
These sound absolutely divine, Chris - Pinned!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Melanie! So glad you liked them!
TheKitchenLioness says
Dear Chris, these mini cheeseballs are colorful and pretty and just perfect for an Easter brunch - what a fabulous recipe. I am not surprised the least bit that they were received with such great enthusiasm at the baby shower. What a fabulous idea for finger food and what amazing pictures!
Andrea
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Andrea! Scott had a lot of fun, getting different angles of these little guys!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
What an easy yet delicious, colorful appetizer. Great to celebrate Spring as well as Easter. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Easter! May the love of Christ be always in your heart.
Chris Scheuer says
And you too Denise! Christ is Risen!
Sandra says
I may have to host an event just so I can serve these little gems!
Chris Scheuer says
They are a good excuse to have a party, aren't they Sandra?
Susan says
They look wonderful, Chris! Delicious and pretty too - a great combination!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much for your sweet comment Susan!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
Oh wow, Chris, I wouldn't know when to stop with this little balls of yumminess. I love all the flavors and they look fabulous! Goat cheese is just the best!
Chris Scheuer says
We've always loved goat cheese, but since we traveled to France this year, we love it even more!
Vicki Bensinger says
Wow Chris what a fun recipe and one I'm sure everyone would love. Plus it's so easy to change up to recreate in so many ways. LOVE THIS!!!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Vicki! You're right, you can alter the outside covering to match the season or event!
Muna Kenny says
Chris, these are so cute to eat, but I will still eat it. Beautiful, and I love the combination of flavors!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Muna! They do present well, and taste delicious!
Adina says
They look like jewels! So pretty.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for your sweet comment Adina! They do kind of sparkle!
Jenna says
So pretty Chris!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Jenna!
Debra Eliotseats says
I am sure I could eat a ton of these. What a great little bite for a shower, Chris.
Chris Scheuer says
And they're not a heavy appetizer Debra - that what I like about them.
Monique says
So perfect Chris..they remind me of your Pomegrannate cheese balls.PERFECT.
Chris Scheuer says
You've got a great memory Monique! They do resemble the holiday pom balls.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Well pooooooh. I wish I had this recipe before my last baby shower! I bet they disappeared in a flash. So pretty and bite sized is always a great idea. Printing for my next small gathering - perfect to serve guests before the main event. Love it Chris - thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
You bet Tricia! They were (and will be for your next shower!) a big hit!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Fruity, cheesy and nutty...these savoury truffles look incredibly delicious!
Have a marvelous weekend, Chris!!
Chris Scheuer says
You too Angie! They are very yummy and pretty easy to put together!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
What fabulous bites, so party ready and I love the vibrant mixture of dried fruits, pecans and herbs!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Laura!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
All I can think about is how did you get these so perfectly round? They are little bites of heaven!
Chris Scheuer says
It's easy to make them round, once the topping is on them, Sue.
Pam Jarrell says
I see a great for a Southern hemisphere Christmas nibble. Thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
You're so welcome Pam! Enjoy!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Absolutely beautiful and I love these flavours together!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Jennifer! They look so good, but taste even better!
SallyBR says
These are adorable, and I love the step of baking the nuts with some heat before rolling the cheese balls = I bet it is a huge improvement to the usual recipes
pinning!
Chris Scheuer says
It did Sally! It's fun, adding a little zing to appetizers!