Whipped Goat Cheese Candied Bacon Dip
Tangy whipped goat cheese meets sweet, lacquered candied bacon in a dip that disappears fast. Creamy, salty, and just a little smoky.
Ingredients
- 6 slicethick-cut bacon
- 3 tbspbrown sugar(packed)
- ½ tspblack pepper(coarsely ground)
- ¼ tspcayenne pepper
- 8 ozgoat cheese(room temperature)
- 4 ozcream cheese(room temperature)
- ¼ cupheavy cream
- 1 tbsphoney
- 1 tspfresh thyme leaves
- ½ tspkosher salt
- 1 tbspchives(thinly sliced, for garnish)
Method
- 01
Preheat the oven to 375 °F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, then set a wire rack on top.
- 02
In a small bowl, mix the 3 tbsp brown sugar, ½ tsp black pepper, and ¼ tsp cayenne pepper until combined.
- 03
Lay the 6 slices thick-cut bacon on the rack in a single layer. Press the brown sugar mixture evenly onto the top of each slice.
- 04
Bake the bacon for 18–22 minutes, until the sugar is bubbling and deeply caramelized. Watch closely in the last 3 minutes — the sugar can burn fast.
- 05
Transfer the candied bacon to a sheet of parchment and let it cool completely, about 10 minutes. It will crisp as it cools. Chop into rough ¼-inch pieces and set aside.
- 06
In a food processor, combine the 8 oz goat cheese, 4 oz cream cheese, ¼ cup heavy cream, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, and ½ tsp kosher salt.
- 07
Process for 90 seconds, scraping down the sides once, until the mixture is completely smooth and fluffy.
- 08
Spread the whipped goat cheese into a wide shallow serving bowl, using the back of a spoon to create a swirled well in the center.
- 09
Scatter the chopped candied bacon generously over the top, then finish with the 1 tbsp chives and a light drizzle of extra honey if desired.
- 10
Serve immediately with crackers, crostini, or sliced apples.
Adapted from public domain & community sources