Whipped Goat Cheese Candied Bacon Dip. This quick and easy holiday appetizer is seriously addictive, festive, and perfect for entertaining! Everyone goes crazy for this creamy goat cheese dip topped with spicy-sweet candied bacon and drizzled with warm rosemary honey. Bacon tossed with a little sugar and spice? Absolutely irresistible. And trust me, this creamy dip disappears fast—you can never make enough! It’s a must for holiday gatherings.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is my second favorite week of the year. (My absolute favorite? The week leading up to Christmas, of course!)
But this is that laid-back week where everyone’s just chilling at home—whether they’re out skiing or snowboarding, playing board games, or binge-watching holiday movies. It’s the best!
With New Year’s right around the corner, I decided to share just one recipe this week, and I knew it’d either be a cocktail or an appetizer. Well, the appetizer won—because I made this dip last week, and we all got hooked.
So simple, but SO good!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- Bacon
- Maple syrup
- Fresh rosemary
- Smoked paprika
- Chipotle chile powder
- Chili powder
- Honey
- Goat cheese
- Cream cheese
- Salted pretzels (for scooping!)
Special Tools:
- A food processor (ideal for whipping the goat cheese).
Step 1: The Bacon
Cook the bacon in a skillet until it’s nice and crispy. Once crisp, drizzle in some maple syrup—make sure it’s the real stuff, no added sugars!
Then, toss in rosemary, smoked paprika, chipotle, and chili powder. Let the maple syrup coat the bacon and caramelize into something magical.
Step 2: The Honey
Remove the bacon from the skillet and add the honey, just letting it warm through.
Step 3: Whip the Cheese
While the bacon’s cooking, mix up the goat cheese. Toss the goat cheese, cream cheese, and a pinch of salt into a food processor, then whip it all together until it’s light and creamy—super easy.
Step 4: Serve
Spoon the whipped cheese onto a plate or into a bowl. Pile on the candied bacon and drizzle with that warm honey. My go-to for serving? Salted pretzel twists—totally un-fancy, but trust me, they’re the perfect match. One bite and you’ll be obsessed.
This dip is pretty much the ultimate holiday appetizer. But honestly? I’m definitely making it again for the Super Bowl too!