Goat Cheese Appetizer Spread with Fig Jam and Pecans Recipe
A warm and creamy goat cheese appetizer spread featuring the rich flavors of fig jam, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, and toasted pecans, finished with fresh herbs. Perfect for holiday gatherings and parties, this easy-to-make baked dip combines smooth goat and cream cheeses and is served with crostini, crackers, or crudites for an irresistible festive bite.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Total Time: 15-20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses
- 8 ounces goat cheese, softened to room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
Flavorings and Toppings
- 1/2 cup fig jam
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts, almonds, or pistachios)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme and rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the goat cheese spread.
- Mix Cheeses: In a mixing bowl, stir together the softened goat cheese and cream cheese until well combined, creating a smooth and creamy base for the spread.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spread the cheese mixture evenly in the bottom of an oven-safe baking dish, ensuring a uniform layer for even baking.
- Add Fig Jam: Spoon the fig jam over the goat cheese mixture and spread it evenly across the top to introduce a sweet contrast.
- Drizzle Balsamic: Drizzle the balsamic vinegar gently over the fig jam, adding a tangy depth of flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the fig jam is bubbling and heated through but not overly browned.
- Toast Nuts: While the spread bakes, toast the chopped pecans (or your chosen nuts) in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, taking care not to burn them.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the spread from the oven and immediately sprinkle the toasted nuts and chopped fresh thyme and rosemary over the top. Allow it to cool slightly for a few minutes to enhance spreadability.
- Serve: Serve warm with an assortment of crostini, crackers, or fresh vegetables for dipping.
Notes
- Use high-quality goat cheese, fig jam, and balsamic vinegar for the best flavor.
- Allow the cheeses to come to room temperature before mixing for easier spreading.
- Watch the baking time carefully to prevent overcooking or burning.
- Toast nuts to enhance flavor and add a crunchy texture to the dip.
- Fresh herbs add a bright, elegant finish – dried herbs can be used if fresh are unavailable.
- You can prepare this spread ahead of time and bake just before serving.
- If fig jam is unavailable, raspberry jam or orange preserves are good substitutes.
- For a dairy-free version, the recipe would need to be adapted to vegan cheeses and spreads.
- It can be reheated gently in a microwave but fresh baking is recommended for best texture.
Keywords: goat cheese appetizer, fig jam dip, baked cheese spread, holiday appetizer, creamy goat cheese dip, easy party appetizer
