Hot Honey Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Cranberry & Walnuts is the perfect Holiday Appetizer for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Sweet, spicy, creamy, and always a hit.
Easy Hot Honey Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Cranberry & Walnuts
This Holiday Appetizer is always the first thing to disappear at my parties—and the one everyone asks about every single time. This Whipped Goat Cheese with Cranberry Sauce, Hot Honey & Candied Walnuts has become my most complimented dip, and once you try it, you’ll understand why.
It’s creamy, sweet, spicy, and crunchy all in one bite, which is exactly what makes it such a standout Holiday Appetizer. I’ve served this for Christmas parties, Thanksgiving gatherings, and even casual holiday get-togethers, and it never fails to impress. The best part? It takes just minutes to make but looks like something you’d order at a fancy restaurant.
Why This Holiday Appetizer Always Gets Compliments
- Whipped goat cheese base: Whipping goat cheese with a little milk creates a light, fluffy texture that’s smooth and easy to scoop.
- Creamy and spreadable: The whipped consistency makes this dip feel extra luxurious without being heavy.
- Hot honey mixed in: Adding hot honey directly into the cheese brings subtle heat and sweetness.
- Perfect flavor foundation: The creamy, slightly spicy base sets the stage for the cranberry sauce and walnuts layered on top.
Cranberry Sauce is the Star of this Holiday Appetizer
I use my homemade cranberry sauce, which includes jalapeños for a spicy kick. That sweet-and-spicy combination pairs perfectly with the tangy goat cheese and makes this dip completely irresistible. Since my cranberry sauce recipe deserves its own spotlight, you’ll find it in a separate blog post here that you can easily make ahead.
Sweet glazed walnuts finish this dip with just the right amount of crunch. Chopping them allows every scoop to get a little bit of everything, which is key for a successful Holiday Appetizer. A final drizzle of hot honey over the top adds shine, flavor, and that extra wow factor.
A Perfect Holiday Appetizer for Entertaining
This is one of my favorite Holiday Appetizer recipes because it’s stress-free. You can whip the goat cheese in advance, assemble everything on a platter, cover it, and refrigerate until guests arrive. When it’s time to serve, simply pull it out of the fridge and add a fresh drizzle of hot honey if desired.
It’s ideal for Christmas parties when you want something festive, Thanksgiving when oven space is limited, or any holiday gathering where you want maximum impact with minimal effort.
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Hot Honey Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Cranberry & Walnuts
Ingredients
- 8 oz goat cheese (two 4 oz logs)
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon hot honey plus more for drizzling
- ½ cup cranberry sauce (homemade preferred)
- ¾ cup coarsely chopped sweet glazed walnuts
Instructions
- Place the goat cheese, milk, and hot honey in a medium mixing bowl.
- Using a hand mixer, whip until smooth, creamy, and spreadable. Add additional milk as needed for desired consistency.
- Spread the whipped goat cheese onto a serving platter.
- Spoon cranberry sauce evenly over the cheese.
- Sprinkle chopped sweet glazed walnuts on top.
- Drizzle with additional hot honey if desired.
- Chill until ready to serve.
Notes
Serve with crackers, crostini, sliced apples, or toasted baguette slices.
Recipe Video
Nutrition
How to Serve This Whipped Goat Cheese Dip
Serve this whipped goat cheese dip with crackers, crostini, toasted baguette slices, or even apple and pear slices for a sweet contrast. It also looks beautiful as part of a larger holiday spread with charcuterie, nuts, and seasonal fruits.
Because it’s served chilled, it holds up well throughout the party—another reason this Holiday Appetizer is always on my entertaining menu.
Easy Holiday Appetizer You’ll Make Every Year
This is one of those recipes that becomes a tradition. Once you serve it, friends and family will expect it at every holiday gathering. Between the creamy whipped goat cheese, spicy cranberry sauce, sweet walnuts, and hot honey drizzle, it hits every flavor note perfectly.
If you’re building a holiday menu and need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, this Holiday Appetizer deserves a spot front and center.
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