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Whipped Goat Cheese with Warm Candied Bacon and Dates, the no-fuss holiday appetizer that’s addictive, festive, and perfect for entertaining! It’s quick, easy, and everyone loves this creamy goat cheese dip with spicy-sweet candied bacon and dates. We’ve got bacon tossed with a little sugar and spice, then baked up with dates until it’s candied and completely delicious. There never seems to be enough of this easy dip…addictive, festive, and perfect for holiday entertaining!
It’s officially appetizer season! I’ve said this before, but my appetizer recipes are lacking compared to dinners and sweet treats. I have no idea why, but I just don’t share enough appetizers…except for when the holidays roll around. In which case I love a good appetizer recipe.
For the last few weeks I’ve been really scratching my brain thinking up holiday recipes. I want this year’s recipes to really be some of the best! So I looked back at some old favorites. The ones our moms and grandmas would make. I asked myself, how can I reinvent these a bit. Make them even more delicious? Possibly easier?
Some recipes were kind of a lost cause, but there were others that gave me so much inspiration.
Bacon wrapped dates are one of those vintage-style recipes that many people love to serve at holiday parties. It’s funny because in general, dates are not the most popular food, but when you wrap them up in bacon?
Everyone loves them.
I wanted to reinvent the classic appetizer and turn it into an easy-to-make dip. I had to rework this one a bit, but I’m so in love with the recipe. It’s delicious.
The bacon
Start with the bacon, I love a spicy-sweet candied bacon so I knew I needed to incorporate that here. The bacon gets tossed with fresh rosemary, a small amount of brown sugar, honey…and then a good pinch of cayenne. It’s spicy, sweet, and with hints of rosemary, so delicious.
Toss that all up on a baking sheet, add some plump torn dates, and bake everything together until the bacon caramelizes.
The goat cheese
While the bacon is cooking, mix up the goat cheese. Add the goat cheese to a food processor with cream cheese, olive oil, and salt. Then whip everything together until the cheese is light and creamy, it’s easy.
Then mix up some honey with rosemary and cayenne for serving.
Serve it up
Spoon the creamy goat cheese into a nice shallow bowl, then spoon the warm bacon and dates over the cheese. Drizzle with the sweet and spicy honey, then enjoy with toasted bread for dipping.
Honestly, it’s pretty close to being the perfect holiday appetizer. And the rosemary keeps them flavorful and festive too with that pop of green.
Just as great for Thanksgiving as it will be for all upcoming holiday gatherings. I know I’ll be making this over and over throughout the holiday season. We already love whipped goat cheese…this is just BETTER!
Looking for other easy holiday appetizers?? Here are my favorites:
Sweet and Savory Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Puff Pastry Twists
Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates
Pull Apart Roasted Garlic Pizza Dip Sliders
Lastly, if you make this Whipped Goat Cheese with Warm Candied Bacon and Dates, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Whipped Goat Cheese with Warm Candied Bacon and Dates
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 240 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 6-8 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, using more or less to taste
- 12 plump Medjool dates, pitted and torn
- 1 log (10 ounce) creamy goat cheese, at room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. On the baking sheet, toss together the bacon, 1 tablespoon rosemary, the brown sugar, 1 teaspoon honey, and the cayenne. Arrange in an even layer. Tear the dates and scatter them around the bacon. Bake 8-10 minutes, until the bacon is crisping.3. Meanwhile, combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy. The goat cheese mix can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days, but bring to room temp before serving. 4. In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup honey, 1 tablespoon rosemary, a pinch of cayenne – to taste, and a pinch of salt. 5. Spoon the goat cheese into a serving bowl and then top with the warm bacon and dates. Drizzle over a little the rosemary honey. Serve with bread or crackers.
Notes
To Make Ahead: the goat cheese can be made 3 days ahead and kept in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before serving. The bacon/dates can be assembled and refrigerated for up to a day before baking.
Introduced this dip for a recent girls’ night and they all agreed it was one the best dips they ever had! The bacon is the perfect addition and totally elevates the cheese spread. Thanks so much Tieghan! 10/10 Cannot wait to try again!
Hi Sarah,
Happy Sunday!! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback!! I love to hear that it was enjoyed:) xxT
This is a must make appetizer! Serve with bread or crackers, it’s just so addictive! A serious crowd pleaser. You won’t be disappointed.
Hey Lucie,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xx
Could I make this without the bacon? We have a non-bacon eater coming for Easter, but this sounds so good!
Hey Liz,
Yes, totally fine to skip the bacon. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it!! xTieghan
Accidentally picked up Garlic and herb goat cheese instead of plain goat cheese just now.Will it still taste good if I go ahead with the garlic and herb?
Hey Sarah,
I worry the garlic and herb with clash with the dates. If you can get plain goat cheese I would use that one:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This is the best appetizer I have every tried! Perfection
Hi Anna,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Can I use a different cheese in this my husband hates goat cheese?
Hey Robin,
Yes, totally! Blue cheese would also be yummy! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it!! xTieghan
OMG – this app is incredible. I’ve never seen guests devour something so quickly – and then snacking on the leftover bacon/date topping while I prepared dinner. Served with Melba Toasts and rosemary crackers. Will be making this again FOR SURE. 5+ stars.
Hey Ann,
Awesome!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week:) xx
This was great!
Hi Lorry,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it!! Have the best day:) xx
Best new easy dip I have tasted in years. Nearly didn’t eat dinner! My daughter-in-law made it for my birthday dinner.
Hey Jackie,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
This is amazing! My new favorite dip, I could eat this all day. My boys loved it as well. Thank you for another great recipe!
Hi Michelle,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
Made this for a get together and it was a complete HIT! Everyone loved it and I need to share the recipe. Very easy to put together and delicious. Sweet, salty, a little heat… may need to just have this in the house for a snack! Thanks!
Hi Shannon,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
So delicious the combination of whipped goat cheese with roasted dates, skipped bacon as we are vegetarian. Thanks for the recipe Tieghan.
Hey there,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a go, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xxT
This was delicious! Sometimes dates and bacon are too rich and sweet for me. This was a perfect way to incorporate that combination without it being overpowering. Served it with sourdough, veggies slices (carrots and zucchini), and toasted walnuts.
Hey Rochella,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great day:) xxT
I’ve made this app three times now and have given the recipe out twice already—it’s SO so good! Thank you!
Hey Cari,
Awesome! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
When you chop up the bacon and dates are they still fairly large pieces? When I made this I think the pieces were too small and made it seem like I had way too much to just spread on top so I mixed it all in with the cheese.
Hey Jean,
Yes, if you refer to my photos you can see they are on the larger side. You only want to tear the dates and then chop the bacon, nothing should be diced small. I hope this helps for next time! xTieghan