Million Dollar Bacon Goat Cheese Appetizer Log Recipe
This Million Dollar Bacon Goat Cheese Appetizer Log combines crispy, sweet-spicy candied bacon with creamy goat cheese and crunchy crostini for an irresistible party treat. Bacon is oven-baked with a fragrant brown sugar and spice rub, then pressed onto a log of goat cheese. Serve with crisp olive oil-toasted baguette slices for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8-10 appetizer portions 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Millionaire Bacon
- 1 pack of thick-cut bacon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon water
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Crostini
- 1 baguette
- Olive oil (for brushing)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Assembly
- 4 or 8-ounce log of goat cheese
- Maple syrup, honey, or hot honey (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Pan: Place the oven rack in the center and preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, and set an oven-safe baking rack on top to allow air circulation around the bacon.
- Make the Brown Sugar Spice Mixture: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, black pepper, water, and cayenne pepper to form a paste.
- Coat the Bacon: Lay bacon slices in a single layer on the rack. Press both sides of each slice with the brown sugar spice mixture, ensuring it sticks well. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using.
- Bake the Bacon: Bake the bacon on the center rack for 15 minutes. Then flip each slice and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until bacon is crispy but not burnt.
- Cool the Bacon: Remove bacon from the oven and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool.
- Preheat Oven for Crostini: Increase oven temperature to 425°F to prepare for baking the baguette slices.
- Prepare the Crostini: Slice the baguette into 1/2 inch thick slices and arrange cut side down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Lightly brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake Crostini: Bake the bread slices for 7-10 minutes until they turn crisp and golden brown.
- Cool Crostini: Remove the crostini from the oven and let cool completely for about 30 minutes before serving.
- Assemble the Appetizer Log: Place the goat cheese log on a serving platter. Break cooled bacon into small pieces and press them firmly onto the surface and base of the goat cheese to coat it evenly.
- Serve: Provide extra bacon pieces around the cheese for scooping. Optionally, drizzle with maple syrup, honey, or hot honey for added sweetness and heat. Serve alongside the crostini.
Notes
- Use thick-cut bacon for the best texture in the candied bacon.
- The red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted if you prefer less heat.
- Allow the crostini to cool completely before serving to maintain crispness.
- This appetizer can be prepared a few hours ahead; just store bacon and crostini separately at room temperature and assemble before serving.
- Maple syrup, honey, or hot honey drizzled over the finished log adds a lovely sweet contrast but is optional.
Keywords: Million Dollar Bacon, Goat Cheese Appetizer, Candied Bacon, Crostini, Party Appetizer, Sweet and Spicy Bacon
