Balsamic-Strawberry Baked Goat Cheese Dip Recipe

Updated March 21, 2019

20150212-balsamic-strawberry-goat-cheese-dip-valentines-day-01.jpg — A sweet and creamy dip so decadent that you just might ditch your date for it. . Morgan Eisenberg

Tangy goat cheese whipped with cream cheese and honey, baked into a rich base for balsamic strawberries and basil, and then served with crunchy toasted French bread for dunking. You can't help but swoon over that.

Why this recipe works:

Balsamic vinegar enhances and balances the sweetness of the strawberries.
Whipping the cheeses and honey in the food processor keeps the dip from becoming dense and heavy when baked.

Notes: Cheap balsamic vinegar works just fine here, so there is no need to splurge. As the vinegar is reduced, it takes on the taste and texture of higher-quality products.

Serve up Some Savory Sweetness With Balsamic Strawberry Goat Cheese Dip

Recipe Details

Balsamic-Strawberry Baked Goat Cheese Dip Recipe

Active 20 mins

Total 30 mins

Serves 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

1 baguette, cut into 1/4-inch slices
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing and greasing
14 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 tablespoons honey
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar (see notes)
2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
12 ounces strawberries, hulled and diced
1/4 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves, cut into ribbons

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides lightly with olive oil. Bake until golden, about 8 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine goat cheese, cream cheese, and honey in a food processor and process until fluffy and smooth. Grease a small (1 quart) baking dish with olive oil and scrape in goat cheese mixture. Using a spoon, smooth goat cheese into an even layer; then use the spoon to create a slight indentation in the center that rises evenly towards the edges (this will help cradle the strawberries later).
In a small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar and sugar over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until vinegar is slightly syrupy and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
Place goat cheese dip in the oven and bake until lightly browned on top, 10-12 minutes.
Stir together strawberries, basil, and balsamic reduction in a small bowl. Spoon berries and any juices on top of the baked goat cheese dip and serve warm with the toasted baguette slices.

Special equipment

Food processor, small (1-quart) baking dish

This Recipe Appears In

Serve up Some Savory Sweetness With Balsamic Strawberry Goat Cheese Dip

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
586	Calories
35g	Fat
48g	Carbs
21g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories	586
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 35g	45%
Saturated Fat 19g	93%
Cholesterol 69mg	23%
Sodium 752mg	33%
Total Carbohydrate 48g	17%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 21g
Vitamin C 34mg	168%
Calcium 173mg	13%
Iron 4mg	21%
Potassium 240mg	5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.