Goat Cheese, Bacon and Date Dip

If you’re looking for an appetizer recipe that’s packed with sweet and savory flavor, look no further than this creamy goat cheese, bacon and date dip. Each scoop features the flavors of bacon-wrapped dates, but without the fuss of stuffing and wrapping.

The creamy base of the dip is made with tangy goat cheese and cream cheese and is covered with candied bacon, dates and pecans. The tasty topping is also incorporated into the dip itself, so even if all the topping gets scooped off, each bite is still packed with bacon, date and pecan flavor.

Serve this dip with savory crackers or slices of toasted French bread, and watch it disappear before your eyes.

Ingredients for Goat Cheese, Bacon and Date Dip

• Bacon: This recipe calls for six slices of bacon, which are fried, chopped and then caramelized with the pecans and dates. You can chop the bacon in advance of frying it, or cook it as whole or halved strips and chop it into small pieces afterward.
• Fresh rosemary: Finely chopped fresh rosemary adds a punch of woodsy, peppery and piney flavor to the dip, complementing the savory flavor of the bacon and sweet flavor of the dates.
• Medjool dates: This recipe calls for whole dates, pits removed and finely chopped. Medjool dates, which have a very wrinkly texture and dark purple hue, are softer and sweeter than other types of dates.
• Pecans: You can use whole pecans and chop them yourself, or start with halved or chopped pecans. Toast the pecans separately before candying them to enhance their flavor and help maintain their crunchy texture after adding them to the dip.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is added to the bacon fat to caramelize the bacon, dates and pecans.
• Brown sugar: This type of sugar is added to the butter and bacon fat to aid in caramelization.
• Goat cheese: This recipe calls for 8 ounces (or two small logs) of plain goat cheese. Allow it to soften for 10 to 20 minutes before incorporating it with the cream cheese.
• Cream cheese: Tangy cream cheese complements the goat cheese with its milder flavor. For this recipe, you will need 4 ounces of softened cream cheese. If you forget to soften the cream cheese in advance, try one of these hacks to quickly soften cream cheese.
• Honey or maple syrup: Honey is used to slightly sweeten the goat cheese mixture. It’s also drizzled over the dip before serving. You can substitute maple syrup for the honey if you prefer.
• Seasonings: The goat cheese dip is seasoned with salt, black pepper, garlic powder and cayenne pepper.

Directions

Step 1: Fry the bacon

In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and allow it to cool.

Once it’s cool, roughly chop the bacon and set it aside. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the pan.

Step 2: Candy the pecans, dates and bacon

Place the skillet back on the stovetop over medium-low heat and add the butter. Once the butter has melted, stir in the chopped bacon, brown sugar, chopped pecans, dates and rosemary. Cook them for one minute, then remove the pan from the heat.

Step 3: Make the cheese mixture

Add the goat cheese, cream cheese, honey, salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and black pepper to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Add 1 cup of the pecan-date mixture and pulse until they’re just combined.

Step 4: Serve

Spoon the cheese mixture into a serving bowl and top it with the remaining pecan-date mixture. Chill it until you’re ready to serve it, or drizzle it with honey and serve it immediately.

Editor’s Tip: If you refrigerate the dip before serving it, allow it to come to room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes to allow it time to soften before you dig in.

Goat Cheese, Bacon and Date Dip Variations

• Use flavored goat cheese: Add more flavor to the dip by starting with flavored goat cheese. Goat cheese flavored with honey or herbs would be a great place to start.
• Add more spice: To add a kick of heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
• Change up the nuts: Swap the pecans for chopped walnuts, pistachios or almonds.
• Amp up the umami: Add a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or Dijon mustard to enhance the savory umami notes in this dip.

How to Store Goat Cheese, Bacon and Date Dip

Store leftover goat cheese, bacon and date dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How long does goat cheese, bacon and date dip last?

This creamy dip will last up to four days when stored properly in the refrigerator.

Goat Cheese, Bacon and Date Dip Tips

How far in advance can you make goat cheese, bacon and date dip?

You can prep the goat and cream cheese mixture (without the pecans, dates and bacon) up to three days in advance. Process the cheeses and seasonings together, then transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Allow the cheese mixture to soften at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes while cooking the bacon and making the candied pecan mixture in Step 2. Then continue with Step 3 of the recipe as described above.

What can you serve with the dip?

Serve this sweet and savory cream cheese dip with sturdy crackers or slices of toasted baguette. You can opt to make the crackers yourself;  savory shortbread crackers or thyme-sea salt crackers would both be delicious options. Or keep things simple and simply buy an assortment of entertainment crackers from the grocery store.