Goat Cheese and Bacon Pops

It’s time to plan the appetizer course for your holiday party. Should you make the regulars like meatballs or cheese and crackers? While these are always a welcome addition to any appetizer table, how about kicking the flavor up a notch? With the flavors of herbs and goat cheese, these easy appetizers are sure to have dinner guests asking for the recipe! 

First gather all your ingredients. You will need cream cheese, goat cheese, pecans, basil and crumbled (cooked) bacon. If you don't feel like cooking up bacon on the stove, you can use cooked real bacon bits or crumbles found in the salad dressing aisle of the grocery store.

In a food processor, whip the cream cheese, goat cheese and 1 teaspoon of basil.

Using a small cookie scoop, shape the mixture into balls and place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.

Insert the lollipop sticks into each ball and freeze for at least 20 minutes.

Next, finely grind the nuts, bacon and the rest of the basil in the food processor. Take the cheese balls out of the freezer and roll into the bacon mixture. You might need to press in some of the mixture to make it stick. 

You can serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. The fresh and distinctive flavors of this appetizer will make these goat cheese pops a new favorite recipe!