Bourbon Infused Cranberry & Goat Cheese Bites

An easy holiday appetizer full of bourbon-infused cranberries and goat cheese!

DELISH Party Appetizer, cranberries are infused with bourbon and added on top of goat cheese!

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Bourbon-Infused Cranberry & Goat Cheese Bites

As we approach New Year’s Eve, I’ve been thinking about the foods we all will actually eat on that evening (don’t worry, I’ve got decor covered too on my NYE page).

I’m personally over all the heavy entrees and loaded side dishes. I want to lighten things up with an assortment of hors d’oeuvres and mini bites that are perfect for a small dinner while mixing and mingling into the new year. 

I just have to share these Bourbon-Infused Cranberry & Goat Cheese Bites! They’re a really simple and elegant appetizer.

DELISH Party Appetizer, cranberries are infused with bourbon and added on top of goat cheese!

Another note, if you love serving up appetizers as well, then always keep a few packages of these phyllo cups on hand. 

If you can’t find them, you can cut out circles from phyllo dough, puff pastry, or even pie crust for a similar “small bite”. Lots of options!

The secret to this easy appetizer is really in the bourbon-infused cranberries. Oh my heavens, these are delish! I’ve been thinking of all the ways I can use these bourbon-infused cranberries (on top of a brie wheel, for example) so I’ll be making another batch very soon. They would make a fancy little gift too!

I highly recommend whipping up a batch of these bourbon-infused cranberry and goat cheese bites for New Year’s Eve! The whole house will smell like bourbon-cranberry heaven. What’s not to love about that?! Even if you aren’t a huge bourbon lover, you will still love these. The bourbon aroma and hint of taste is there but they’re not overbearing.

You could certainly add more or less bourbon to your liking. And consider swapping out the goat cheese for another favorite like brie! Y’all know I like to give you options!

Can I use something else besides Goat Cheese?

Why, yes! I love these with brie and feta too.

Can I leave out the Bourbon?

Yes, you can. You’ll want to replace the liquid with something else though so your cranberry sauce comes together. I’d suggest swapping it for orange juice for a citrus twist. That’s similar to my cranberry sauce recipe here!

How to Serve Cranberry & Goat Cheese Bites

These bites have the most beautiful color, thanks to the cranberries! It’s vibrant and eye-catching making it the perfect appetizer to showcase at your next party!

Place it on a cake stand or simple platter for presentation. Serve alongside your favorite champagne for the perfect New Year’s Eve!

DELISH Party Appetizer, cranberries are infused with bourbon and added on top of goat cheese!

Bourbon Infused Cranberry & Goat Cheese Bites

The perfect holiday appetizer! 
SERVINGS 24 bites

Ingredients
  

  • 24 phyllo cups
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries - (1 12-oz bag)
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 4 ounces goat cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350⁰F. In a saucepan, combine cranberries, bourbon, and brown sugar. Cook over low heat until sugar is dissolved and cranberries are soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Fill the bottom of each phyllo cup with a small spoonful of goat cheese.
  • Top with a tablespoon of bourbon-infused cranberries.
  • Bake for 8 minutes.
  • Serve right away but note, these taste just as delicious at room temperature!

Nutrition

Calories: 60kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 26mgPotassium: 18mgSugar: 5gVitamin A: 55IUVitamin C: 1.9mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Check out even more of my favorite party appetizers below!

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12 Comments

  1. Who could resist these tiny bites of pure deliciousness?! Love the sweet and savory combo here. Need these in my life!

  2. Claudia Bridenbecker says:

    These are easy, yummy and festive-I just made them for a party tonight and can’t wait to bring them! Thank you for sharing!

    1. Hi Claudia! LOVE hearing that! thanks so much!

    1. You likely could, though I’m not sure the flavor would really be quite as good as bourbon which has stronger undertones of flavor. You could certainly try it out and see!

  3. Could you please tell me what brand or type of goat cheese you used. Thank you

  4. patricia samuelian says:

    can you use a boursin or other cheese? i don’t care for sharp cheeses like goat/blue/feta.
    thanks

    1. Patricia, of course! You could definitely use either boursin or another softer cheese.

  5. These are very tasty but messy,lol.

  6. Can you refrigerate and if so, for how long? Planning to bring to an event but would need several hours before serving. Thanks!

    1. Courtney Whitmore says:

      Yes, you can refrigerate these for several hours! Obviously they won’t be warm, more of a chilled version, but I think they’d taste delicious just the same. Now, you might mean refrigerate and THEN bake before serving… which is also fine to do!

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