# 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.

_Snack_

Prep: 15 min · Cook: 20 min · Total: 35 min · Yields: 8 servings

## Ingredients

- 6 slice thick-cut bacon
- 3 tbsp brown sugar (packed)
- ½ tsp black pepper (coarsely ground)
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 8 oz goat cheese (room temperature)
- 4 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp chives (thinly sliced, for garnish)

## Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 °F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, then set a wire rack on top.
2. In a small bowl, mix the 3 tbsp brown sugar, 0.5 tsp black pepper, and 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper until combined.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. In a food processor, combine the 8 oz goat cheese, 4 oz cream cheese, 0.25 cup heavy cream, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, and 0.5 tsp kosher salt.
7. Process for 90 seconds, scraping down the sides once, until the mixture is completely smooth and fluffy.
8. 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.
9. 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.

## Tip

> Let both cheeses sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before processing — cold goat cheese never fully smooths out and will leave the dip slightly grainy no matter how long you run the machine.

Tags: appetizer, comfort-food, entertaining, 30-minute, gluten-free

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Canonical: https://just-recipes.io/recipes/whipped-goat-cheese-candied-bacon-dip