This Goat Cheese Dip Recipe is a luxurious blend of creamy textures and smoky, savory, sweet flavors. Warm, tangy goat cheese meets crispy bacon and chewy Medjool dates, all topped with hot honey for the perfect spicy-sweet finish. It’s an effortless appetizer that’s elegant enough for a dinner party but laid-back enough for game day. It’s ready in 30 minutes, making it a lifesaver for last-minute gatherings.
Creamy Goat Cheese Dip Appetizer
This sweet and savory dip combines tangy goat cheese and cream cheese with zippy lemon juice, smoky bacon, sweet dates, and spicy, sweet, hot honey. It’s topped off with flaky sea salt to tie everything together in one flavorful swoop.
Hot dips are the lifeblood of a good party. No matter what you scoop them up with, they’re always a hit and are super quick to whip up. This baked goat cheese dip is no different. It’s the perfect addition to your appetizer collection.
I find that appetizers are best when you have a combination of flavors, textures and temperatures. Cold appetizers are the easiest but I always like to add a warm one to my appetizer spread. This one is perfect because you can prep it in advance and then just warm it up when guests arrive. Try serving this along side a creamy cold corn dip for a variety of flavors and textures.
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First, you’ll make the base with goat cheese and cream cheese, using a hand mixer or food processor to get it super creamy and spreadable.
Then, you’ll bake the cheese mixture and while it’s cooking, cook the bacon, letting the dates soak up the smoky flavor from the bacon fat.
Finally, you’ll assemble the dip and serve it with some crackers, slices of bread, veggies, or whatever else you like! Serve this dip at your next party and watch it disappear.
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back For More
- Easy: A few basic ingredients and steps bring this appetizer to life without being overcomplicated.
- Elegant: Whipped goat cheese combined with toppings like dates, bacon, and hot honey creates an elegant appetizer worthy of any dinner party or gathering.
- Make-ahead friendly: This appetizer can be made a couple of days beforehand and assembled right before you’re ready to serve it.
Here’s What Goes Into Creamy Goat Cheese Dip
This is a brief list of what you’ll need to make this recipe. Make sure to check the recipe card below for the full ingredient list.
- Goat cheese: Look for a good-quality, soft goat cheese that will blend easily. Make sure it’s at room temperature before making the cheese mixture.
- Cream cheese: This balances out the tanginess of the goat cheese and makes the dip extra smooth and creamy. Letting it come to room temperature helps it mix better. You can soften cream cheese quickly if you forget to let it sit out.
- Thick-cut bacon: Adds texture and a deep, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy cheese. Any brand will work here and you can get away with using thin cut bacon. Applewood makes it even better.
- Medjool dates: Naturally sweet and caramel-like, they bring a chewy texture that complements the crispy bacon and creamy cheese. Look for soft, plump dates without the pits to make things easier.
- Hot honey: A drizzle of sweet heat that ties everything together. If you don’t have hot honey, regular honey with a pinch of red pepper flakes works just as well!
Make This Dip In 30 Minutes
Step One: Mix the Cheese
Step Two: Spread Into a Dish and Bake Until Bubbly
Pop the dish into the oven and bake until the cheese is warm and slightly golden around the edges.
Step Three: Cook the Bacon and Dates
Step Four: Assemble and Serve
Adding Different Things To This Appetizer
- Fruit: Figs, dried cranberries, or even chopped apricots work well as a sweet alternative. You could even use a fruit jam instead, like fig jam or cherry jam.
- Nuts: Add a handful of chopped pecans, pistachios, or walnuts to the top for crunch.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives can add more depth and herbal flavor.
The Best Way to Scoop Up The Dip
The dip is thick so a use something sturdy to dip it out. Here are a few of my go-toos.
- Pita chips
- Fire crackers
- Cucumbers
- Baguette slices
- Carrots or celery
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Baked Goat Cheese Dip with Dates, Bacon, and Hot Honey
Ingredients
- 3 slices thick-cut bacon cut into ½ inch pieces
- 10 Medjool dates pitted and cut into pieces
- 10 ounces goat cheese room temp
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temp
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- Hot honey
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400º.
- In a medium bowl, combine goat cheese, cream cheese and lemon juice and mix with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Spread into the bottom of a 6 inch skillet or a 1 quart baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes until warm and bubbly.
- While the cheese is baking, cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Leave the bacon grease in the skillet and add dates, cook for about 1 minute until soft and warm.
- Top the hot cheese mixture with dates and bacon, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with flaky salt. Serve with crackers while warm.
Nutrition
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Kathy says
Made this tonight for a Halloween party. Turned out fabulous! Perfect in every way!
Barbara Curry says
That’s great, I love the sweet and savory combo.