With tangy whipped goat cheese, savory bacon, and sweet dates, this is one goat cheese appetizer that absolutely can’t be beat. And with so much room to customize, you can make it entirely your own. Dip into this tantalizing first course with warm toasted bread and say hello to your go-to holiday appetizer from here on out!
Serve with assorted crackerscarrot chips, cucumbers and apples for gluten-free, low carb option
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Serve with warm flatbread, naan, crackers or carrot and cucumber chips for a low carb option.
Notes
Variations: You may also use feta cheese in place of the goats cheese.In the summer and fall, try replacing the dates with slices of fresh figs.
Pro Tip 1 | Let your goat and cream cheese come to room temperature to make them easier to mix.
Pro Tip 3 | For extra crispy bacon, bake it by itself for 5-8 minutes. Then add the dates and continue to bake until lightly caramelized.
Make Ahead
Make the goat cheese mixture up to 3-4 days in advance, keeping in fridge. Bring to room temperature before placing in serving bowl or plate. Bacon and Date mixture may be made up to a day ahead of time and kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Place on plan and reheat in 400 degree oven for 5 minutes before assembling.