Spreadable goat cheese is a culinary rock star, combining a creamy texture with a tangy natural flavor that shines on its own—and works as a decadent addition to a wide variety of foods. At Cypress Grove, we love the versatility of our goat cheese, and we’re excited to share some ways that you can enjoy each tangy bite. Try these 10 ideas to delight in all the goat cheeses we have to offer.

1. Dress Up Your Mashed Potatoes

Adding goat cheese to your mashed potatoes can be the perfect way to boost the flavor and decadence of your family’s favorite side dish. Want to spice it up? Try our Hatch Chile or Sgt. Pepper varieties for a kick.

2. Replace Cream Cheese with a Fruity Goat Cheese Option

Ready to elevate your breakfast? Instead of cream cheese on your bagel or toast, try amping up the flavor of your favorite breakfast breads by topping them with our Meyer Lemon & Honey Goat Cheese, or create a fantastic lox bagel with our Ms. Natural Classic Goat Cheese.

3. Add a Tangy Kick to Lunch Wraps

Forget mayo and hummus—adding goat cheese to your lunch wraps can provide you with a kick of protein and flavor. We love a whole wheat wrap loaded with goat cheese, sliced turkey, crunchy romaine lettuce, a few slices of avocado, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

4. Add a New Twist to Lasagna

Whether you normally layer your lasagna with provolone, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, or another combination of cheeses, try adding a layer of goat cheese between your pasta sheets to offer an unexpected, tangy, flavorful twist to your family’s favorite dish. We highly recommend our Midnight Moon or Humboldt Fog to add the perfect twist to your lasagna.

5. Try Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

Goat cheese-stuffed dates are a fun and new twist on dessert that can help you throw your cravings for processed sweets out the window. To make, slice several dates in half, being careful to fully remove each pit. Fill each hollow with goat cheese and top with sprinklings of your choice (we love to toss on a few fresh bacon bits). Enjoy at room temperature, or toss these delights under the broiler for a minute to add some heat.

6. Enjoy Your Favorite Crackers Topped with Goat Cheese and Crushed Pecans

Salty, tangy, crunchy—it’s hard to beat the taste of your favorite crackers topped with goat cheese and a sprinkle of crushed pecans. In the mood for a savory snack? Try sprinkling with salt and fresh pepper. Craving something sweet? Leave the salt and pepper in the spice cabinet and drizzle with honey.

7. Upgrade Your Scrambled Eggs

You likely already know the viral hack of adding some cream cheese to your scrambled eggs can create the perfect consistency—try using goat cheese instead of cream cheese for an unexpected burst of flavor that you’ll love. 

Our Midnight Moon or Humboldt Fog both pair perfectly with scrambled eggs!

8. Try a New Twist on Pizza

Try spreading fresh goat cheese on a plain pizza crust before adding your favorite sauce, cheese, and other toppings for a fun and unexpected twist. We love topping a goat cheese base with shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, diced red onion, and a balsamic reduction. You can’t go wrong with any goat cheese on pizza, but we highly recommend Midnight Moon, some pizza shops even carry it!

9. Give Your Avocado Toast a Boost

You love avocado toast in the morning, but it can get a little repetitive. Try spreading a piece of whole wheat toast with our Purple Haze goat cheese and top with everything but the bagel seasoning.

10. Add Goat Cheese to Your Favorite Pasta Sauce Recipes

Making fettuccine alfredo? Simmering a creamy vodka sauce to toss with rigatoni? Try adding spreadable goat cheese to your favorite pasta sauce recipes for an addition of flavor and tang. We recommend our Truffle Tremor variety to take the creaminess of your pasta sauces to the next level.

Cypress Grove: Bringing the Decadence of Goat Cheese to Your Kitchen

Whether you’re ready to enjoy goat cheese on its own or you’re ready to use it to elevate your favorite dishes to the next level, we’re here to provide you with the products you need to create delicious, elegant goat cheese dishes. Click here to learn more about the goat cheeses we offer at Cypress Grove, head over to Goldbelly to make an order, and be sure to tag us on social media when you post about your creations.

Interested in enjoying some little slippers for dinner this evening? Stick with us—and your answer will be yes. Here, we’ll dive into the history of scarpinocc—derived from the Italian word for little slippers—and explore our recipe for filling these tiny pasta pockets with truffled goat cheese, all topped with a tangy, sweet balsamic reduction. Hungry? Us too.

What is Scarpinocc?

This traditional Italian stuffed pasta was created in the Valtellina region of Italy. The name was derived from the local term for “little shoes” or “little slippers,” as the shape of the pasta resembles the soft, pointy foot coverings traditionally worn by residents in the area.

This pasta is closely associated with the village of Parre in Bergamo, where it is celebrated as a regional specialty. Local festivals often feature scarpinocc as a centerpiece dish, highlighting its importance in Lombard culinary heritage.

The rural area has a tradition of creating humble pasta, set apart from luxury Italian foods like ravioli and tortellini. Festivals in the area often celebrate local history by serving scarpinocc as a centerpiece dish. Scarpinocc was developed as a filling dinner when meat was scarce and continues to be beloved for its rich, cheesy filling designed to stick to your ribs on chilly nights in the alpine valleys of Italy.

Today, the pasta isn’t just enjoyed when times are tough—it’s celebrated as a delicious vegetarian dinner option for people across Italy—and the world.

How is Scarpinocc Made?

While Scarpinocc looks time-consuming to make, it’s actually a simple process—much like riding a bike—once you get the hang of it, it’ll become second nature.

Scarpinocc dough is made of a simple mixture of flour and eggs, rolled flat and cut into rounds. A small amount of filling is placed in the center of each round, and the edges of each piece are pinched to create the traditional little slipper shape.

Making Scarpinocc at Home

Ready to get your hands dirty? Making scarpinocc at home is a bit of work, but you’ll find that it’s well worth your efforts. All you’ll need is a clean countertop, Italian 00 flour, and some eggs. If you’re down for a workout, you can knead the pasta by hand. If you’d prefer to use a food processor or pasta machine to create your pasta dough, feel free!

Scarpinocc Pasta with Goat Cheese Filling

Ingredients

For the Pasta

• 2 1/2 cups Italian 00 flour
• 4 whole eggs plus 6 egg yolks

For the Filling

• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup Cypress Grove Truffle Tremor Goat Cheese
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Butter or olive oil

Toppings (Your Choice)

• Parmesan cheese
• Shredded basil
• Marinara sauce
• Sage-infused butter
• Sundried tomatoes
• Balsamic vinegar reduction

Instructions

For the Pasta

• Place the flour on a clean worktop, form it into a mound. Create a large well in the middle of the flour. Crack the eggs and egg yolks into well. Whisk with fork, pulling a little bit of the flour into the eggs at a time. Continue until the egg/flour mixture becomes kneadable.
• Using the heel of your hand, push the dough away from you. Fold over the remaining dough. Turn the dough 90 degrees and repeat. Continue kneading for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Form the dough into a flat disc and place it on plastic wrap. Then, wrap the dough tightly and place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

For the Filling

• Mix the ricotta, Parmesan, goat cheese, minced garlic, egg yolk, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To Fill the Pasta

• After the pasta has chilled, roll it flat with a rolling pin. Use the top of a cup or a jar to cut thin circles of pasta.
• Using a piping bag or small spoon, place a small ball of filling in the middle of each circle. Fold one edge of the pasta over to create a crescent moon shape, sealing the edge.
• Fold the area with the filling over the non-filled edge. Pinch the top and bottom ends of the pasta. Make a small indentation in the filled area to create the trademark scarpinocc shape.

To Cook the Pasta

• Cook the filled pasta in small batches by placing it in boiling, salted water for 2 minutes (or until the pasta begins to float).
• Place the butter or olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the boiled pasta, cook until slightly browned. Add toppings of your choice (we recommend a balsamic vinegar reduction topped with Parmesan and chopped sundried tomatoes). Enjoy!

Cypress Grove Scarpinocc: Your Home for Delicious Decadence

At Cypress Grove, we work day in and day out to provide you with delicious, tangy goat cheese to add a touch of excitement to your favorite recipes. Check out our website to make an order, or use our store locator to find us in the deli case at your favorite grocery store.

Picture this: it’s Christmas Eve, and friends and family are stopping by throughout the evening to share in the joy of the holiday season.

You’ve prepped a plethora of holiday treats for your guests, including a charcuterie board filled with your favorite salty delights, a pecan cranberry cheese ball surrounded by perfectly selected dippers (including pita chips and buttery Ritz crackers), and a tower of peppermint-frosted brownies topped with beautiful crushed candy canes.

As each loved one opens the front door, they’re wrapped up in the light sounds of holiday carols, the relief of feeling the warm, fragrant air, and the delight of a perfect holiday spread on your table, just waiting to be enjoyed.

It’s hard to beat the cozy feeling that comes with holiday gatherings, and there’s no centerpiece quite like a cranberry goat cheese ball to bring your guests happily around the table, chatting with one another as they enjoy hot cocoa. Our pecan cranberry cheese ball recipe is the perfect combination of sweetness, crunch, and tang to have your guests coming back for more, time and again.

Let’s take a look at exactly how to make the perfect pecan and dried cranberry cheese ball, loaded with sweet dried cranberries, luxurious goat cheese, crunchy chopped pecans, and a citrusy finish to pack an unexpected punch.

Pecan Cranberry Cheese Ball

• Time to Prepare: 30 minutes
• Time to Chill: 4 hours
• Total: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped (divided use)
• 1 cup pecans, chopped (divided use)
• 8 ounces Ms. Natural Cypress Grove Goat Cheese, softened to room temperature
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper (to taste)
• Dippers, including Ritz crackers, pita chips, pretzels, large bread cubes, sweet potato chips, etc.
• Optional: 1/4 c. green onions, 1/4 c. walnuts, 1/2 c. cheddar cheese (don’t use pre-shredded cheese), 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of the chopped dried cranberries and 1/2 cup of the chopped pecans, salt, and pepper. Add softened goat cheese and softened cream cheese.

If you add any of the optional ingredients listed above, add them to the creamy cheese mixture here.

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, mix well until combined.

After the mixture is combined, place a large square of plastic wrap on a flat surface. Spoon the cheese mixture onto the center of the plastic wrap. Pull each corner of the plastic wrap into one hand. Continue pulling in the edges of the plastic wrap until the cheese mixture is fully covered.

Gently form the mixture into a ball (no need for perfection—the cheese will firm up and become easier to work with as it chills).

Use a twist tie or bag clip to secure the plastic around the ball, ensuring that it’s secured tightly in plastic wrap. Place on a plate or cookie sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours (or overnight). Store the remaining chopped pecans and dried cranberries.

About an hour before you’re ready to serve, remove the cheese ball from the fridge. In a large bowl, combine the chopped pecans and dried cranberries. Remove the cheese mixture from the plastic wrap.

Carefully press the cheese ball into the pecans and dried cranberries, gently rolling it to ensure that it’s completely covered in dried cranberries and chopped pecans.

Place the cranberry pecan cheese ball in the center of a large plate. Surround with crackers, pretzels, large bread cubes, sweet potato chips, or other favorite holiday appetizers. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance can I prepare the cranberry pecan cheese ball?

You can prepare your pecan cranberry cheese ball a day or two in advance. Ensure that it’s tightly wrapped so that it isn’t exposed to air, and keep it in the fridge until an hour before you’re going to serve holiday appetizers.

Can I freeze my cranberry cheese ball?

Yes! If you’re getting ahead of the game and want to prepare your cheese ball far in advance, no problem. Don’t wrap the cheese ball in toppings until you’re ready to serve. Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap, then wrap it again in aluminum foil. Wrapped well, your cheese ball can stay fresh and frozen in your fridge for up to four weeks.

Before serving a previously frozen cheese ball, be sure to let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Don’t forget to roll your cheese ball in chopped pecans and dried cranberries before serving to your guests!

Can I use other types of fruit in a cranberry pecan cheese ball?

Absolutely! Creativity is encouraged. Adding chopped candied orange peels, dried mango, or dried pineapple can add a fun new twist to a classic recipe. Bonus: adding additional citrus fruit to your cheese ball can help to bring out the citrus finish of your Ms. Natural Cypress Grove Goat Cheese.

Is Ms. Natural the only goat cheese that I should use for this recipe?

While we love the combination of Ms. Natural Goat Cheese with dried cranberries and chopped pecans, we have several other goat cheese options that can work in this recipe as well. Our Meyer Lemon & Honey Goat Cheese is another fun option for your cranberry cheese ball. The surprising burst of herbs in our Purple Haze Goat Cheese can add an unexpected twist to your recipe.

What can I substitute for cream cheese in my pecan cranberry cheese ball?

Out of cream cheese? No worries. You can double up on your favorite Cypress Grove Goat Cheese, or mix two different varieties for a new flavor. If you’d like to ramp up the sweetness, try substituting mascarpone for cream cheese.

Should a cranberry cheese ball be served as an appetizer or a dessert?

Your guests will love this recipe no matter when you serve it, but we recommend using it as an easy appetizer to kick off a holiday gathering. If you’re serving it as a dessert, skip the green onions and add a drizzle of honey for a touch of extra sweetness.

Ready to Try This Cranberry Cheese Ball Recipe?

Ready to get your cranberry cheese ball prepped for your loved ones? Click here to order your favorite goat cheese online, or use our store locator to find our products near you. Be sure to check back with us regularly to check out more appetizers.

As always, Cypress Grove Goat Cheese is the perfect way to add decadence to holidays, fun to celebrations, and a touch of deliciousness to weekday dinners. We hope you enjoy this recipe and have a happy holiday season!