I’ve made these goat cheese lollipops for many different occasions over the years, from holiday gatherings to cocktail parties. Each time, people ask for the recipe. It’s one of those appetizers that people always remember and request again and again. For me, that’s a sign of success. The “recipe” couldn’t be easier. Just blend fresh goat cheese and cream cheese with a little bit of honey (for a touch of sweetness). Then roll the cheese into balls and coat each one with a crunchy, wildly flavorful mix of bacon, pecans, dried cherries, and herbs. The dried cherries can easily be replaced with dried cranberries or blueberries – heck, you could even do dried apricots or figs, if you like! Pistachios are also a fabulous alternative to the pecans, and they look beautiful too. You can cook the bacon several days in advance and mix the cheese up to two days in advance. Be sure to keep everything cold until you’re ready to assemble. Then store the assembled pops in the fridge until the moment before you serve them. This recipe is easily doubled for a crowd. These goat cheese bacon bites are fun and festive – the very definition of entertaining made easy. Packages of goat cheese sometimes go by the name “chevre” in the store. Either is fine. You might need to look for appetizer skewers, or you can use toothpicks.
