The recipe for this baked goat cheese dip with hot honey bacon and dates is a must during the holidays! It’s essentially a devils on horseback dip made with tangy whipped goat cheese, cream cheese and hot honey drizzled dates and bacon. The whole thing is baked until warm and bubbly and scooped up however you see fit.
Table of Contents
What is Baked Goat Cheese Dip?
The recipe for this Baked Goat Cheese Dip with Hot Honey Bacon & Dates is inspired by one of my favorite appetizers of all time - Devils on horseback.
It's a devilishly delectable holiday treat, where tangy whipped goat cheese and cream cheese create a creamy base, artfully intertwined with sweet, hot honey-drizzled dates and crispy bacon.
This culinary masterpiece is then baked to perfection, resulting in a warm, bubbly dip that beckons to be scooped up in any way you fancy, embodying the essence of a festive, indulgent gathering.
If you're not into hot honey, you can easily swap it for regular honey for a nonspicy version.
And if you don't like dates, you can swap them out for figs!
And if you want to get really wild with it, try adding some crumbled blue cheese to the cheese mixture for added oomph!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Cream Cheese - If you prefer to use something different for cream cheese, you can use mascarpone or even ricotta but it won't taste as tangy.
- Goat Cheese - If you're not a fan of goat cheese, you can swap it for more cream cheese or even blue cheese, gorgonzola or feta.
- Dates - Not a fan of dates? Try using dried figs or even caramelized onions.
- Bacon - If you're vegetarian, this recipe is totally delicious even without the bacon. Just leave it out and add a little bit more dates, caramelized onions or even walnuts (but adjust baking times because the nuts might burn!)
- Hot honey - Regular honey works fine if you're not a fan of sweet heat.
- Dippers - I recommend using Garlic Crackers, Rosemary Crackers, Toasted Ciabatta or baguette rounds.
How to make it
Making this devils on horseback dip is soooo much easier than the traditional variation.
To begin, first lay out your cream cheese and goat cheese to get it room temp.
Then preheat your oven to 400F degrees.
Grab a large bowl and add cream cheese. Using a hand mixer, whip for 1 minute or until smooth, creamy, and fluffy.
Pour into a small cast iron or oven save baking dish (about 6-8” wide).
Now in a separate bow, mix together cooked bacon, chopped dates and 2 tablespoon hot honey and stir until combined.
**I am using the cooked bacon that comes in a bag but if you're cooking the bacon yourself, I recommend not preparing it super crispy in the pan. This way, it can get crispy when it bakes in the oven with the rest of the dish.**
Now that everything is prepared, place the hot honey date bacon mixture in the center of the baking dish or cast iron and smooth out the top.
Place it in the oven and bake at 400 for 18-20 minutes or until goat cheese is puffy and bubbling and the dates and bacon are warmed through and slightly crispy.
Now remove it from the oven and add an extra drizzle of hot honey and serve with grilled ciabatta, rosemary or garlic crackers or even toasted baguettes or crostini.
What goes with Baked Goat Cheese Dip with Hot Honey Bacon & Dates
I love serving this baked goat cheese dip with a ton of other tasty cheesy appetizers. Here are a few I recommend!
- Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
- Candied Jalapeno Deviled Eggs
- Cheesy Ricotta Meatball Skillet
- Cheeseburger Spring Rolls
- Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Pizza Hawaiian Rolls with Hot Honey Pepperoni
- Crescent Roll Garlic Knots
- Funeral Sandwiches
- Chipotle Pimento Cheese Dip
- Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits
Frequently asked questions
What is the shelf life of goat cheese?
In the whimsical world of cheese, goat cheese stands out with its playful tang and creamy texture, boasting a shelf life of about 7-10 days once opened, but if you keep it unopened and properly refrigerated, this charming cheese can stay fresh and delightful for up to a few weeks depending on the date on the package.
What does goat cheese taste good with?
Goat cheese, with its creamy, tangy personality, plays well with a myriad of flavors. From the sweet whispers of honey and the bold embrace of figs, to the rustic crunch of walnuts and the zesty kick of fresh herbs, creating a symphony of tastes that dance delightfully on your palate. It's a versatile star that shines no matter what. Try it in salads, on crusty breads, or as the secret ingredient in a decadent sauce.
What cheese goes well with dates?
Besides goat cheese, a bold and luxurious blue cheese steps into the spotlight. You can also pair it with a milky manchego or a sharp aged cheddar. If you want to take it to the dessert side, it goes beautifully with peanut butter and chocolate.
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Recipe
Baked Goat Cheese Dip with Hot Honey Bacon & Dates
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz block Cream Cheese room temp
- 1 8 oz log Goat Cheese room temp
- ¾ cup Dates seeds removed and roughly chopped
- ¾ cup Precooked Chopped Bacon (or 3.5oz bag pre cooked bacon)
- 2 tablespoon Hot Honey plus more for finishing
- Grilled Ciabatta, Rosemary or Garlic Crackers, Toasted Baguettes for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
- Add room temp cream cheese and goat cheese to a bowl and use a hand mixer to whip for 1 minute or until smooth, creamy, and fluffy. Pour into a small cast iron or oven save baking dish (about 6-8” wide)
- In a separate bow, mix together cooked bacon, chopped dates and 2 tablespoon hot honey and stir until combined.
- Place the hot honey date bacon mixture in the center of the goat cheese filled baking dish and smooth out the top.
- Bake at 400 for 18-20 minutes or until goat cheese is puffy and bubbling and the dates and bacon are warmed through and slightly crispy.
- Remove from the oven and add an extra drizzle of hot honey and serve with Grilled ciabatta, rosemary or garlic crackers or even toasted baguettes.
Jennifer Sawyer
Hi!! Do dried dates work okay?
grilledcheesesocial
Yes! Most dates that you buy are dried dates 🙂