This Goat Cheese Christmas Wreath Appetizer with dried cherries and pistachios is as festive looking as it is delicious. It's sure to make a statement on the buffet table at the annual holiday party!
You'll get plenty of oohs and aahs when you serve this festive goat cheese Christmas wreath at your next party or gathering.
Not only is it a buffet table showstopper, but it's also an utterly delicious cheesy appetizer that people can't seem to get enough of.
Table of Contents Found Here
- The simple ingredient list:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- Why this recipe works
- What can I use in place of the goat cheese in this recipe?
- Can dried cranberries be substituted for dried cherries?
- Can the pistachios be swapped with something else, or left out entirely?
- How many people can this festive cheese ball appetizer serve?
- Additional holiday appetizers:
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The simple ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned
- Goat Cheese Logs (20 ounces each)
- Dried Cherries, chopped
- Shelled Pistachios, roasted and salted
- Fresh Parsley (dried parsley will also work)
- Black Pepper
- Assorted Crackers and Dippers
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- Chef's Knife
- Cutting Board
- Large Bowl
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- Spatula
- Plastic Wrap
- Baking Sheet (for rolling the parsley)
- Round Serving Platter
- Appetizer Spreaders
- Holiday Bow (optional, but recommended)
Why this recipe works
This wreath may look complicated to make but in all actuality, it's very simple and only takes a matter of minutes to assemble, and only takes 5 ingredients.
Plus, it can be made in advance, so that makes this appetizer a hostess's dream come true when it comes to preparing for the party.
What can I use in place of the goat cheese in this recipe?
What's that? You're not a fan of goat cheese? No problem.
Just substitute cream cheese for the goat cheese in the recipe, and you're good to go.
However, if you're using cream cheese, the wreath will be a slightly sweeter flavor whereas the goat cheese has a creamy, but mild tanginess which pairs wonderfully well with the sweetness of the dried cherries and the wonderful flavor of the pistachios.
Can dried cranberries be substituted for dried cherries?
Sure thing. The choice is yours.
Can the pistachios be swapped with something else, or left out entirely?
Feel free to use whatever chopped nut suits your fancy.
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Or, leave the nuts out entirely.
The reason I went with pistachios (besides the fact that I love them) is their festive green color which is the perfect holiday complement to the sweet red cherries!
How many people can this festive cheese ball appetizer serve?
Lots! It's party-sized so it can feed a crowd comfortably!
Additional holiday appetizers:
Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer Bites (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
"This festive and easy Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer recipe takes only minutes to make, but they look like you slaved for hours. Plus, they’re cheap and cheerful which makes them perfect for this (or any) holiday gathering."
Christmas Snowman Appetizer Dip from Hungry Happenings
Grinch Guacamole (pictured below and in the featured video) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
"With a few simple ingredients and some easy instructions, you can warm the hearts of your family and friends with this gloriously easy to make realistic looking Grinch Guacamole."
Christmas Deviled Eggs from Mom Foodie
Chicken Skewers with Strawberry Satay Sauce (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
"Not only is this Chicken with Strawberry Satay Sauce healthy and nutritious, but the flavor is out of this world delicious and the festive colors are perfect for holiday entertaining.
- Goat Cheese Christmas Wreath with Pistachios and Dried Cherries (pictured below) This is the place!!
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
Goat Cheese Christmas Wreath Appetizer
Not only is it a buffet table showstopper, but it's also an utterly delicious cheesy appetizer that people can't seem to get enough of.
Ingredients
- 2 logs 10 ounces each goat cheese
- 1½ cups chopped dried cherries plus additional for garnish
- 1½ cups shelled chopped pistachios, plus additional for garnish
- pinch black pepper
- 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl with a and mixer, combine the first 4 ingredients.
- Shape the mixture into a long log on a piece of plastic wrap.
- Press the chopped parsley onto the cheese long on all sides, except the bottom.
- Wrap the log semi-tightly with the plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- After chilling, work the log (non-parsley side down) into a circle shape on a round serving platter, pressing and pinching as needed to make a wreath shape.
- Garnish the inside of the wreath with additional cherries and pistachios (if desired) and press a red bow in the cheese.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or until ready to serve.
- Serve with assorted crackers and or breadsticks.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed this festive and fun holiday cheese ball recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Kelly Anthony says
I love goat cheese, and cherries and pistachios go PERFECTLY with it! What a genius pairing for a Christmas appetizer. So festive!
Melissa Bailey says
What a beautiful idea. I wonder if there is anything that could be use as an edible bow for the wreath. Gorgeous thou and sounds delicious!
Nutmeg Nanny says
This is so festive! I love that it's shaped like a wreath 🙂
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
What a stunning presentation - Renee - it's perfect for the holidays!
Ginny McMeans says
Great idea for pistachios! It looks like the party is starting!
Katrina says
Love the looks of this and it sounds so good! Perfectly Christmas!
german in pdx says
What a beautiful festive idea. Very nice!
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
I love this Renee, it's so beautiful and so festive. I think it's going to be coming with me to our family's holiday party this year, too!
Erin Dee says
That's because putting your own spin on recipes is way more fun than just following directions. 😉 And this is so pretty and festive! It must have felt great to see that you were the first one to come up with it. When I have that feeling and I do a search, it's like, "Oh... this has been done at least 20 times before. Waaaah." 😉
Liz Berg says
Oh, how beautiful! SO festive and yummy---and though I'm not crafty, I think I could do this!!!
Angie says
This is so cute! So perfect for a party!
Brenda@SugarFreeMom says
So pretty and festive, love that you added some crunch with the pistachios.
The Food Hunter says
very fun and festive!
Souffle Bombay says
So festive and pretty that I wouldn't want to be the first to dig in (but I would!)!
Nancy Piran says
This is the cutest platter! I am loving the cherries and goat cheese together!
foody schmoody says
What a fun appetizer. I love goat cheese and this might just be making an appearance at our holiday party this weekend. Thanks for the great idea!
Katerina @ Diethood says
That sounds so, soooo good! And it's beautiful!
Jamie says
What a beautiful and festive appetizer centerpiece for the holidays, Renee! And I love what you did with simple goat cheese. Scrumptious and pretty!