If you're looking for a last minute appetizer, let me introduce you to my new favorite: Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with a pecan date topping! It's easy enough for when you're short on time + fancy enough that people will be asking for the recipe. The creamy texture of the goat cheese is enough on it's own, but adding a sweet & savory topping makes it perfect for your next holiday party!
As a dietitian, I'm a big fan of an easy appetizer! And last week when I realized I needed something to bring to a holiday dinner party last minute, I combined some of my favorite flavors and it ended up being my new favorite dip! The biggest compliment was the hostess asking me to post the recipe so she can make it for her family at Christmas. 🥰 So of course I had to share it!
What I love about this whipped goat cheese dip is that it's easy and quick, but elevated and unique enough for a nice dinner party. You'll whip the cheese in a food processor or blender, make the topping, and layer everything on your favorite serving dish.
Serve at room temperature with crusty bread or sturdy crackers. It's great appetizer any time of year, but especially during the holiday season. The perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, especially for big goat cheese fans. I hope you enjoy it. 😊
More Healthy Appetizer Dips
- Hot Honey Feta Dip
- Christmas Hummus Wreath
- 4 Ingredient Goat Cheese Dip with Fig Jam and Pistachios
- Whipped Ricotta with Burst Tomatoes
- Za'atar Hummus
- Whipped Ricotta Dip with Honey
- Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus
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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitution Ideas
This Whipped Goat Cheese with Pecan Date Topping is made with simple ingredients. Below are some notes and substitution ideas. Check the recipe at the bottom for the measurements.
Layer 1: Creamy Goat Cheese Dip Ingredients
- Goat Cheese - tangy goat cheese is a soft cheese popular during the holidays. It has a creamy consistent perfect for spreading and is lower in calories than some of the other popular options like Boursin or cream cheese. You can find a log of goat cheese near the delicatessen with the other cheeses at grocery stores. Goat cheese also provides some protein, calcium, and phosphorus.
- Cottage Cheese - this is an easy way to make the goat cheese extra creamy and balance out the tangy spread.
- Orange Juice - you're going to use the zest of a fresh orange for the topping so I suggest zesting it and then juicing it and use the juice in the whipped goat cheese. If you prefer lemon flavor, use lemon juice and zest instead.
- Kosher Salt - just a pinch of salt to tie it all together!
Layer 2: Pecan Date Topping Ingredients
- Medjool Dates - dates are a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth without added sugar which dried cranberries have. Their caramel-flavor pairs great with the creamy goat cheese. Find dates in the produce section of most grocery stores.
- Pecans - chopped pecans provide crunch and flavor. Walnuts or pistachios would work too
- Honey - a touch of honey enhances the sweetness. If you like it a little spicy, feel free to use hot honey.
- Orange Zest - orange zest adds a distinct sweetness and is a popular flavor in the winter. You can use lemon zest instead if you prefer.
- Fresh Thyme- fresh herbs add color and holiday flavor. I use fresh thyme leaves. Just a small amount goes a long way here!
How to Make Whipped Goat Cheese with Pecan Date Topping
Below is a summary of the steps for how to make this recipe with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Check the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
- Step 1: Make the whipped goat cheese by adding the goat cheese, cottage cheese, orange juice, and kosher salt to a food processor, hand mixer, or blender. Blend until it has a smooth texture, about 2-3 minutes, pushing down the sides as needed. Add more salt to taste.
- Step 2: Make the pecan topping by mixing chopped dates, chopped pecans, honey, orange zest and fresh thyme in a small bowl. Heat a skillet on medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Add the pecan & date mixture. Heat the mixture, stirring frequently until warmed, about 2-3 minutes.
- Step 3: Layer the goat cheese spread on the bottom of a serving dish or serving bowl.
4. Step 4: Top with an even layer of the date pecan topping. Optional: add a drizzle of honey on top.
Hint: serve with some crusty bread like crostini, pita chips, or sturdy crackers!
Dietitian Tip
At the holidays, sometimes keeping things simple is key! Make this whipped goat cheese with dates and pecans as an option that uses more nutritious ingredients than a lot of heavier cheese dips while still enjoying something special. 😊
Variations
The best thing about making whipped goat cheese dip is you can customize it however you want! Below are some ideas.
- Spicy - use hot honey or add red pepper flakes on top to give it a kick.
- Dried Cranberries - if you don't like dates, use dried cranberries to add sweetness instead.
- Cream Cheese Version - use cream cheese in place of the cottage cheese if you want more creaminess and don't mind the added calories.
- Tomato Basil - in the summer, replace the orange zest with lemon zest and replace the pecan date mixture with savory ingredients like a combo of burst cherry tomatoes, garlic cloves, and fresh basil on top.
- Herby Olive - replace the sweet pecan topping with herbed olives with fresh rosemary and thyme for a briny flavor.
- Caramelized Onions - add caramelized onions on top of the goat cheese instead of the date mixture for a savory flavor.
Equipment
You'll need either a food processor or a high-speed blender to make the Whipped Goat Cheese. I usually use my handy and beloved KitchenAid food processor for this recipe.
Prep and Storage for Whipped Goat Cheese Dip
- Prep - you can prep each component of this recipe in advance! Store the whipped goat cheese and pecan date topping in separate airtight containers in the fridge until you're ready to serve. Assemble right before serving. The components will stay good in the fridge for 1-3 days.
- Storage - Leftovers will keep relatively well. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Expert Tips
- It will take a few minutes for the goat cheese to get creamy in the blender or food processor so be patient!
- When zesting the orange, just go over the surface once. You just want the top layer of the skin to be zested so stop when you get to the white part of the fruit. The white part is much more bitter, but the orange outer skin is sweet.
- Dates can be sticky to chop. To make them less sticky, freeze them for 10-15 minutes.
- Serve with sturdy crackers. I love the Rosemary Simple Mills Almond Flour crackers or some thick sourdough crackers with this. You could also serve it with crusty bread like crostini and people can spread it onto the bread.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this whipped goat cheese dip with pecan date topping is lighter than many cheese dips served at the holidays. Goat cheese is a relatively low calorie cheese and using cottage cheese in place of cream cheese to make it creamy is also lower in calories and also provides some protein and calcium. Dates add sweetness without added sugars, and pecans provide plant protein and vitamin E which has been shown to support brain health.
Yes, this is a gluten-free recipe.
I typically serve this cold or at room temperature.
Related
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Pecan Date Topping
Equipment
- 1 food processor (or blender)
Ingredients
For Whipped Goat Cheese Layer
- 4 oz goat cheese
- ¼ cup cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoon fresh orange juice (be sure to zest it first for the pecan date topping!)
- kosher salt, to taste (I use ~¼ tsp)
For Pecan Date Topping
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup chopped dates
- 1-2 teaspoon orange zest
- 1-2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- ½ tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Make the whipped goat cheese by adding the goat cheese, cottage cheese, orange juice, and kosher salt to a food processor, hand mixer, or blender. Blend until it has a smooth texture, about 2-3 minutes, pushing down the sides as needed. Add more salt to taste.
- Make the pecan topping by mixing chopped dates, chopped pecans, honey, orange zest and fresh thyme in a small bowl. Heat a skillet on medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Add the pecan & date mixture. Heat the mixture, stirring frequently until warmed, about 2-3 minutes.
- Layer the goat cheese spread on the bottom of a serving dish or serving bowl. Top with an even layer of the date pecan topping. Optional: add a drizzle of honey on top.
- Serve with some crusty bread like crostini, pita chips, or sturdy crackers
Notes
- It will take a few minutes for the goat cheese to get creamy in the blender or food processor so be patient!
- When zesting the orange, just go over the surface once. You just want the top layer of the skin to be zested so stop when you get to the white part of the fruit. The white part is much more bitter, but the orange outer skin is sweet!
- Dates can be sticky to chop. To make them less sticky, freeze them for 10-15 minutes.
- Serve with sturdy crackers! I love the Rosemary Simple Mills Almond Flour crackers or some thick sourdough crackers with this. You could also serve it with crusty bread like crostini and people can spread it onto the bread.
- Prep - you can prep each component of this recipe in advance! Store the whipped goat cheese and pecan date topping in separate airtight containers in the fridge until you're ready to serve. Assemble right before serving. The components will stay good in the fridge for 1-3 days.
- Storage - Leftovers will keep relatively well. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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