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Warm, baked goat cheese is an incredibly easy and delicious appetizer when combined with dollops of fig jam and toasted pecans. The dish comes together in under 20 minutes, and the resulting creaminess of the goat cheese is to die for. Freeze the goat cheese for a few minutes before slicing to create perfect rounds!
A-mazing appetizer alert.
I’m bringing you an equally easy AND delicious alternative to baked brie for the holiday season – Baked GOAT CHEESE with fig jam, toasted pecans, and thyme (or rosemary!)
All you need are 5 ingredients and 15 minutes.
This warm appetizer is the best mix of savory and sweet, with both creamy and crunchy components. The oven does something special here, making the goat cheese even creamier, and intensifying the flavors of the jam. I love the addition of goat cheese in this Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip, too.
Since canning this Red Wine Fig Jam, I’ve been using it in all kinds of ways. But pairing it with baked goat cheese and nutty pecans is currently where the party is at. The figs shine through, and the red wine is particularly lovely!
If you try and slice goat cheese straight from the refrigerator, you’ll likely end up with a mess from it crumbling, and sticking to the knife.
To cut goat cheese into perfect rounds, freeze the log for 15 minutes, then slice into 1/2 inch thick circles, cleaning your knife off after each slice. This will also prevent it from sticking to the knife.
Some baked goat cheese recipes require a food processor, but this recipe requires just one pan – a small cast iron skillet or oven safe baking dish will work great!
Crackers are my preferred dipping vehicle!
But crusty sourdough bread is also an excellent choice.
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Erin
January 3, 2025
How do you serve it? With a spoon or do people just dip crackers/bread? Looks amazing!
Amanda Paa
January 3, 2025
Hi! Crackers or bread, and then a little knife or spoon for them to use!
Sussan
December 14, 2024
What great recipe, very tasty and made in no time. Can you tell me about the bread in the image?
Amanda Paa
December 14, 2024
Glad you enjoyed it! What you see in the photos are these delicious fig and olive crisps.
vicki
July 5, 2024
I brought this to a family gathering and it was a big hit. It was so easy to put together. I will definitely make this again soon. So yummy!
Amanda Paa
July 5, 2024
yay, so glad it was enjoyed! thanks for making the recipe.
Susan Braidwood
December 24, 2023
This was fabulous! It was so easy and very tasty. I will definitely make it again.
Amanda Paa
December 25, 2023
So glad to hear that, Susan!
Jeannette
December 11, 2023
I will definitely try this recipe. I love so many of yours. But I’m also interested in that cracker or bread in the photo. Is it your recipe?
Amanda Paa
December 11, 2023
Hi Jeannette! I don’t make the crackers, the ones you see are storebought, I love them!
Doreen Tucker
August 19, 2023
I made this today and it was simply brilliant, everybody loved it! So easy and quick to pull together. I had just made some fig jam so that was the inspiration.
Amanda Paa
August 20, 2023
So glad you and your guests enjoyed it!
Tammara
December 23, 2022
Lovely. Great comfort food on cold and blustery days like today. Will be making this tomorrow. Love your enamel coated pan, who’s the manufacturer? LeCreuset?
Amanda Paa
December 23, 2022
hello! It is this small enamel skillet from Target!
Sabrina
November 26, 2020
lovely, just what I need today and 20 minutes even better for a last minute appetizer, thank you!