Honey Whipped Goat Cheese Dip (4 Ways)
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Need a fast, easy, show stopping appetizer? Honey Whipped Goat Cheese is the answer! Create the basic creamy dip with just 3 ingredients and then choose your own topping adventure with our 4 unique ideas.
About This Recipe
You’re gonna want to save this recipe for your next party or potluck. Like our Spinach Artichoke Dip with Roasted Red Peppers, it’s a winner appetizer anytime of year. Here’s what’s to love:
- Only three main ingredients make up the dip itself. Then, you can choose what toppings to put on it.
- We tested and wrote out four mouthwatering topping variations for you in the recipe. I truly can’t decide which is my favorite.
- This appetizer is fast to make. It comes together in about 10 minutes.
- When serving at gatherings, this dip is gone every time. It’s definitely a crowd-pleaser.
Basic Ingredients
This recipe begins with these three main ingredients, and then you can add the toppings you want based on our ideas below.
Variations
There are lots of directions you can go with the toppings, so feel free to get creative. We went ahead and tested four delicious versions that got two thumbs up from our testing team.
Holiday Delight
With dried cranberries, toasted pistachios, and minced fresh rosemary, this one has a little sweet, a little salty, and some crunch. Perfect for a Christmas Dinner appetizer or Fall Potluck.
Sweet and Savory
Bacon, chives, and hot honey scream “game day dip” to me. The sweet-salty-spicy combo is soooo good.
Spring Fling
Of course you can eat this one anytime of year, but I think the strawberries, lemon zest, and fresh mint work well for a spring baby shower or wedding shower. You could also serve this at Easter Lunch.
Summer Fun
When peaches are in season, make this one. Top with finely diced peaches, a chiffonade of fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction. Nom nom nom.
How to Make Honey Whipped Goat Cheese
Blend the Basic Mixture & Transfer to Serving Dish
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, and honey and beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until light and creamy. (Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.)
Scoop the whipped goat cheese mixture onto a shallow serving platter and smooth the top with a spatula. (Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve.)
Add Toppings & Serve
Sprinkle your toppings of choice (see all our fun ideas above) evenly over the top of the whipped goat cheese. Serve with toasted baguette slices, assorted crackers, pretzels, or crisp apple slices.
What to Serve with Honey Whipped Goat Cheese
Here are some dippable sides to serve with this appetizer:
- Toasted bagette slices
- Crispy apple or pear slices
- Assorted crackers (make sure they are hearty not soft)
- Pretzels
Recipe FAQs
Fig jam is another great topping that I tested. Microwave it for 10-15 seconds, until thinned out and drizzle over the top.
You could try some of these interesting variations too (although I haven’t tested them yet):
– Apricot and Almond: Use finely diced dried apricots and chopped toasted almonds. A little lemon zest can add a hint of citrus.
– Fig and Walnut: Top with chopped dried figs (or fig jam–this stuff is like crack) and toasted walnuts for a sweet and nutty combination. Add a drizzle of balsamic reduction for extra depth.
– Pear and Pecan: Thinly slice fresh pears and add some chopped toasted pecans. A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg can enhance the flavors.
I tested making this dip with a food processor and it just got runny instead of lighter and fluffier. I do not recommend using it if you can avoid it. The hand mixer or stand mixer is the way to go.
From my experience with testing, I’d say try to make it within a few hours of when you want to serve it. It loses some of the “lift” as it sits and the toppings can get soggy on top, so leave those off until the last minute.
This is safe to eat for another 3-5 days if stored in the fridge. However, it will be a little soggy over time with the toppings on top.
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
Honey Whipped Goat Cheese Dip (4 Ways)
Honey Whipped Goat Cheese is a fast, easy, and show stopping appetizer. Create the basic creamy dip with just 3 ingredients and then choose your own topping adventure with our 4 unique ideas.
Ingredients
Basic Recipe:
- 8 ounces plain goat cheese, room temperature
- 2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons honey
- Toppings of choice (pick from options below)
- Serving suggestions: toasted baguette slices, assorted crackers, pretzels, or crisp apple slices
Toppings 1: Holiday Delight
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped (sub: fresh pomegranate seeds)
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves (sub: minced thyme leaves)
- 1 tablespoon chopped roasted pistachios (sub: chopped toasted pecans)
Toppings 2: Sweet and Savory
- 2 slices of bacon, cooked and finely chopped (2 heaping tablespoons)
- 1–2 teaspoons minced chives
- A good drizzle of hot honey
Toppings 3: Spring Fling
- 1/4 cup finely diced strawberries (4-5 strawberries)
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (half of one lemon)
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon minced fresh mint leaves
- 1–2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
Topping 4: Summer Fun
- 1/4 cup finely diced fresh peaches (about 1/2 small peach)
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon ribboned or minced fresh basil leaves
- 1–2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted (optional)
- A drizzle of balsamic reduction
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Ensure the goat cheese and cream cheese are at room temperature for easier blending. Prepare the ingredients for your toppings of choice. Set them aside.
- Blend the Basic Mixture: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, and honey. Using a hand mixer on medium speed until they are light and creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides with a spatula at least once while mixing. (Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.)
- Transfer to a Serving Dish: Scoop the whipped goat cheese mixture onto a small plate or shallow serving platter and smooth the top with a spatula. (Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve.)
- Add the Toppings: Sprinkle your toppings of choice evenly over the top of the whipped goat cheese.
- Serve: Serve with toasted baguette slices, assorted crackers, pretzels, or crisp apple slices.
Notes/Tips
- How far ahead can I make this? From my experience with testing, I’d say try to make it within a few hours of when you want to serve it. It loses some of the “lift” as it sits and the toppings can get soggy on top, so leave those off until the last minute. It’s not bad if you make it a day ahead, but it just isn’t quite as good.
- How to Store: Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 5 days.
- The food processor didn’t work well to mix this dip from my test. It make the dip too liquidy, rather than fluffy. The beaters work far better!
- It’s essential that the cheeses are at room temperature so they blend together well.
- How to Toast Nuts: For some of the variations, we call for toasted nuts. This is not essential but it definitely kicks up the flavor significantly. You can either place raw nuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 350°F or place in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and just starting to turn golden (watch closely so they don’t burn!). Your nose will know when they are done.
- Fig jam is another great topping I tested. Microwave it for 10-15 seconds, until thinned out and drizzle over the top.
Photos and video by Whitney Reist of Sweet Cayenne.
I jumped right off my couch and made this recipe as soon as I saw it posted! So easy and a crowd pleaser too! Thanks Thriving Home for another delicious recipe I will use again and again!
Love to hear this Joyce! I personally haven’t made it yet, but I will soon. I know it was tested a number of times, so I bet it is great. I’m curious to find out what my favorite flavor combo will be!
Love this dip for all seasons! Tried each variation and all were delicious – although the bacon and peach versions were my favorite! Good for people who are on the fence about goat cheese – the cream cheese and honey make it more mellow.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review Whitney! I haven’t tried all the variations yet, so I don’t have a favorite, but I’m looking forward to figuring it out. And thanks for letting the people on the fence about goat cheese know that it’s a mellow flavor when you add all the ingredients together!