Portable bacon….I mean genius right?!?! What could be better? Oh I know, portable bacon with cheese. I spotted this recipe a while back on Pinterest….and I thought this time of year might be a good time to give it a try. It is a perfect bite size party food that you can make ahead…and so chic :) I failed to have any lollipop holders on hand….but you can use them…or long picks. A perfect snack to make for New Years Eve :) Maybe put one of those fancy sparkler toothpicks on the end and be extra festive :)
Cook six pieces of bacon until very crispy. Let cool.
In a food processor combine 4 oz goat cheese, 4 oz regular cream cheese, 1 T fresh basil, dash of fresh ground pepper. Mix well.
With a melon baller, create small balls of cheese mixture (think about the top of your thumb size) Like a dumdum lollipop size.
Place balls on wax paper, place lollipop sticks in center. Place in freezer for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a cleaned food processor—Combine crushed bacon, 1 T basil, 1/4 C. pecans. Plus until very fine.
Hard to photograph a pretty picture of crushed bacon…moving on….
Take the cheese balls and gently crush the coating onto the cheese balls. I found that I needed to press the coating onto the ball to make it evenly around.
Place on a platter and chill until ready to serve.
This recipe makes about 20.
The recipe calls for them to be served on a round apple slice. I didn’t do this but I am sure it would be yummy :)
Cheesy Bacon Lollipop
Ingredients
- Goat Cheese Balls with Herbs Pecans, & Bacon
- makes 16-20
- 6 slices bacon
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese not whipped
- 2 tablespoons chopped thyme or basil divided
- Cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup pecans
- Apple slices to serve
Instructions
- Cut each piece of bacon in half. Place the bacon in a large skillet without overlapping the slices, and turn the heat on low. Cook on low for about 15 minutes, turning frequently, until the bacon is quite crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pat the slices to remove excess grease.
- While the bacon is cooking, whiz the goat cheese, cream cheese, 1 tablespoon of herbs, and a few turns of cracked black pepper in the food processor. Whiz until creamy and well-mixed, then form small balls, about the size of the tip of your thumb. Insert lollipop sticks. Put in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm up a little more. (Don't let them freeze all the way; just help them firm up. You can also place them in the refrigerator for a longer period of time.)
- Clean out the food processor. Crumble in the cooled bacon, the remaining tablespoon of herbs, and the pecans. Whiz until very fine and crumbly; it should be as fine as your food processor will make it.
- Take the cheese balls out of the freezer and roll them in the bacon mixture, pressing it in with your fingers if it doesn't immediately stick.
- Place the balls in a container on their sides and refrigerate until serving. Serve on full rounds of sliced apple. These are delicious eaten together with apple; take a bite of one and then of the other.
