Y'all...Christmas is nine days away...NINE days away! How did this even happen? I am kind of unprepared and am just now starting to plan what I want to fix for Christmas dinner. And with Christmas parties in full swing over the next week, we could all use an easy appetizer to whip up that requires little to no effort! This is my go to holiday appetizer because one, it's gorgeous and perfectly red, white, and green, two it's delicious, and three I can make it in ten minutes. My pesto and goat cheese spread with cranberries and toasted pine nuts couldn't be more perfect for your holiday festivities!
I will admit we are kind of pesto obsessed in this house. We could smear it on just about anything and be pretty happy about it. My Aunt Lisa and my mom have been making this dip for years and I, in turn have started to make it every holiday season and bring it to any parties that we attend.
You simply bring goat cheese and cream cheese to room temperature and then mix together until smooth. From there you top of it off with homemade pesto (or store bought if you want to make it even easier), and then top off with dried cranberries, toasted pine nuts, and a few pomegranate seeds. It’s so pretty and so tasty. I just serve it with a mix of crackers, but it would also be great on a baguette as well.
It's the perfect mix of savory and sweet with the right balance of textures, and you should make it even if it's just for yourself.
Ingredients:
5 Tbsp. of Pesto (get recipe here or you could buy store bought, but I am partial to fresh for the bright green color and deeper flavor)
4 oz. Goat Cheese
1 Package of Cream Cheese
3 Tbsp. of Dried Cranberries
3 Tbsp. of Toasted Pine Nuts
Fresh Pomegranate Seeds (optional, but so good and pretty)
Crackers for Serving
Directions:
Bring cheeses to room temperature.
Make pesto.
In a small dry pan, add pine nuts and heat over medium low heat until the nuts are just toasted and slightly brown. Be careful not to burn, it happens quick.
Combine cheeses together in a bowl or a mixer until smooth and then transfer to a small plate or shallow bowl and spread onto the bottom in an even layer.
Spread the pesto on top of the cheese and then sprinkle with cranberries, pomegranates, and pine nuts.
Serve immediately or can store for up to a day with plastic wrap tightly wrapped over it preventing the air to turn the pesto brown.
How beautiful is this appetizer? It’s definitely going to be a hit this holiday season!
