Whipped Goat Cheese with Bacon, Dates and Honey
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
chopped
- 1/4 cup honey
- Sea salt
- 6-8 slices thick cut bacon
chopped
- 1 tablespoons fresh rosemary
chopped
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 8-12 Medjool dates
pitted and torn, plump dates
- 1 log creamy goat cheese
at room temperature, 10 ounce
- 4 ounces cream cheese
at room temp
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Flaky Sea salt
just a pinch
- Pomegranate Arils
optional
- Serve with assorted crackers
carrot chips, cucumbers and apples for gluten-free, low carb option
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- 2
In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup honey, finely chopped tablespoon of fresh rosemary, and a pinch of cayenne pepper (or use hot honey if desired), and a pinch of sea salt. Stir and let infuse while assembling the rest of the appetizer.
- 3
In a medium bowl toss together the chopped bacon, rosemary, brown sugar, cayenne and 1 teaspoon of honey. Toss to coat, then spread evenly in prepared sheet pan. Tear dates into various bite sized pieces and scatter around the bacon. Bake 8-18 minutes until the bacon is crisp, stirring occasionally if needed. For thicker, crisper bacon, bake a bit longer. If you like your bacon really crisp, I recommend you bake it by itself for 5-8 minutes first, then stir in the dates and continue baking until lightly caramelized.
- 4
While bacon and dates are baking, make the goat cheese mixture. In the bowl of a food processor or stand mixer, pulse or mix the goat cheese, cream cheese, olive oil, pinch of flaky sea salt until smooth and creamy.
- 5
Spoon cheese into a serving bowl, using a the back of a teaspoon to create spiral troughs in the cheese. Top with warm candied bacon and date mixture, then drizzle a little rosemary honey, serve additional on the side if desired. Sprinkle with fresh pomegranate arils if desired.
- 6
Serve with warm flatbread, naan, crackers or carrot and cucumber chips for a low carb option.
Whipped Goat Cheese with Bacon, Dates and Honey
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About this Recipe
Looking for an appetizer that effortlessly combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, all in one show-stopping bite? This Whipped Goat Cheese with Bacon, Dates and Honey is exactly that, delivering a gourmet experience perfect for any gathering.
The magic here lies in the contrasts: the creamy tang of whipped goat cheese and cream cheese provides a perfect canvas for the smoky, crisp bacon bits, while plump Medjool dates offer a chewy sweetness. A drizzle of honey infused with fresh rosemary and a pinch of warming cayenne pepper elevates every component, creating a truly irresistible spread.
What to Expect You'll be treated to a luxurious, spreadable dip that's both rich and remarkably light. Each spoonful is a symphony of textures—smooth, velvety cheese, tender dates, and crunchy bacon—enlivened by the aromatic rosemary and a subtle warmth from the cayenne. This is a sophisticated appetizer that comes together with surprising ease, promising a truly memorable flavor experience that will have your guests asking for the recipe.
Customization & Variations Feel free to adjust the cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level, or omit it for a milder dip. For a vibrant visual flourish and a burst of tartness, garnish with optional pomegranate arils. When serving, offer an array of dippers like assorted crackers, or keep it gluten-free and low-carb with crisp carrot chips, refreshing cucumber slices, and sweet apple wedges.
Serving & Context This elegant appetizer is perfect for holiday entertaining, dinner parties, or any occasion where you want to impress guests with minimal effort. Serve it generously scooped into a bowl alongside a vibrant platter of your chosen accompaniments.