SO good you won’t believe it!
Ever take a bite of something and immediately think… “Wait, why is this so insanely good??”
That was exactly the case with this Whipped Goat Cheese with Candied Bacon and Pecans. After realizing how creamy and dreamy whipped goat cheese is (especially when paired with roasted beets and oranges!), I had to take it a step further.
Enter: crispy candied bacon, toasted pecans, and a drizzle of honey.
The result? A fancy little holiday appetizer that’s secretly SO easy to make and guaranteed to disappear fast. And tbh, you might not even make it to the party before diving in with a cracker!
If you like this whipped goat cheese with honey, you might also want to give this Blueberry Goat Cheese Log a try next!
Ingredients and Substitutions
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.
- Goat Cheese: The flavor can vary a lot between brands, so pick one you actually enjoy eating. A plain, log-style goat cheese (chèvre) works best here. Skip anything with added flavors since you’ll be seasoning it yourself.
- Greek Yogurt: Just a spoonful makes the whipped goat cheese extra smooth and fluffy.
- Honey: The subtle floral notes pairs so well with the earthy beets and tangy cheese. You can also sub agave or pure maple syrup if that’s all you have.
- Fresh Herbs: Rosemary and thyme are my go-tos, but dill, oregano, or even a little tarragon would be delicious. If you’re using dried herbs, cut the amount down to about one-third.
- Bacon: Since the flavor really shines here, pick a high-quality bacon you love the taste of—something thick-cut and smoky works great.
- Pecans: Their buttery flavor pairs perfectly with the goat cheese and bacon, but you can totally swap in chopped almonds or walnuts if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a warm, molasses-y depth to the candied bacon topping. Regular sugar will work in a pinch, but it won’t have quite the same richness.
Get My 10 Holiday Sides with Serious Swagger
Tasty twists on classics that will get the WHOLE table talking!
Step-by-step Instructions
Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.
Make the whipped goat cheese
Add the goat cheese, Greek yogurt, honey, fresh thyme, rosemary, and lemon juice to a small food processor or blender. Pulse a few times to break it up, then blend until it’s smooth and fluffy.
Pro tip: Don’t over-blend! Too much processing can make it runny. If that happens, just pop it in the fridge to help it firm back up.
Cook the bacon.
Toss the chopped bacon into a small skillet over medium heat and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until crispy and golden. Drain off the grease into a measuring cup, but save a couple teaspoons for the next step.
Pro Tip: You want the bacon to get EXTRA crispy here, but not burn. This will give you the best crunch in your topping.
Make the candied bacon pecan topping
Add the chopped pecans, brown sugar, salt, pepper (if using), and 2 teaspoons of the reserved bacon grease to the same skillet. Stir it all together and cook for another 3-4 minutes, just until the nuts are toasted and everything’s glossy and caramelized. Let cool on a paper towel-lined plate.
Serve it up and dig in!
Spread the whipped goat cheese in a shallow bowl or dish. Top with the candied bacon and pecans, a few extra fresh herbs, and a little extra drizzle of honey.
This dip is delish with crostini, crackers, or sliced veggies like cucumber, bell pepper, or endive. It also pairs perfectly on a holiday charcuterie board!
FAQs
Absolutely! You’ll want to crisp back up the pecans and bacon in a skillet and let the goat cheese sit out for 10-15 minutes before serving so it softens to the perfect spreadable consistency.
Be sure your goat cheese is still slightly chilled when blending, and don’t over-process it. If it gets too loose, pop it in the fridge for 15–20 minutes and it should firm back up.
Totally! You can leave out the bacon and just candy the pecans on their own using butter or coconut oil. You’ll still get that sweet crunch on top of the tangy cheese.
Goat cheese has a unique tang that makes this dip special, but if it’s not your thing, you could try a combo of cream cheese and feta for a similar vibe.
Tap stars to rate!
Whipped Goat Cheese with Candied Bacon & Pecans
email this recipe!
Ingredients
Whipped Goat Cheese
- 8 ounces goat cheese broken into 1-ounce chunks
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice from 1 lemon
Candied Bacon Pecan Topping
- 2 ounces bacon finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of black pepper optional
Instructions
- For the Whipped Goat Cheese: Add the goat cheese, yogurt, honey, thyme, rosemary, and lemon juice to a small food processor or blender. Pulse 5–10 times, then blend for 10–20 seconds, or until smooth and creamy. Be careful not to over-blend since too much processing can make it runny.8 ounces goat cheese, 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- For the Candied Bacon Pecan Topping: Add the chopped bacon to a small skillet over medium heat. Cook for 8–10 minutes, or until crispy and mostly cooked through. Drain the grease into a measuring cup, then return 2 teaspoons of the bacon grease to the skillet.2 ounces bacon
- Add the pecans, brown sugar, salt, and pepper (if using) to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for another 3–4 minutes, or until the pecans are toasted and caramelized. Transfer the mixture to a paper towel-lined plate to cool and crisp.3 tablespoons finely chopped pecans, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ⅛ teaspoon salt, Pinch of black pepper
- Spoon the whipped goat cheese into a shallow bowl or serving dish. Top with the candied bacon and pecans, plus a sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary and an extra drizzle of honey, if desired. Serve with baguette crisps, crackers, or fresh veggies.
Tap stars to rate!
Notes
- Yield: This recipe makes roughly 1½ cups of whipped goat cheese, which is enough to serve 6-8 as an appetizer.
- Goat Cheese: Make sure the goat cheese is still slightly chilled when processing or else it will become too runny. You can always pop it back in the refrigerator before serving to firm it up.
- Make ahead: You can make both the whipped goat cheese and the topping a day in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge, and let the cheese sit out for 10–15 minutes before serving so it softens slightly.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipes
If you love this whipped goat cheese, you’ll definitely want to check out these other easy holiday appetizers that wow without the stress. From savory bites to sweet treats, these recipes are perfect for your next festive gathering!
