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The beloved southern classic gets a twist with this creamy, sticky, tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly. You’ll be dipping all of the things into this warm dip that hits all of the flavor notes.

Dips are the perfect appetizer to serve up on game days, holidays, or just because you made it through the week and it’s Friday. From blue cheese bacon dip to the southern tradition of topping cream cheese with hot pepper jelly, there’s nothing that disappears faster at any party.

This creamy and dreamy dip plays homage to that with a few easy and elevated additions. Fruity Fresno peppers, bright lemon zest, and sweet delicate shallots perfume the goat cheese base along with the fresh bite of green onions. The hot pepper jelly adds a contrasting pop of sweetness that works with just about all of your favorite dippers.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Make Ahead – You can fully assemble this goat cheese with pepper jelly dip a day in advance up to the point of topping it with the pepper jelly. When you’re ready to serve just top it off, pop it in the oven, and allow it to warm through. You can also easily double and triple the ingredients and make this for a large crowd.
Minimal Ingredients – Goat cheese, cream cheese, and hot pepper jelly make up the core components of this baked goat cheese dip with pepper jelly. Aromatics like shallots, green onions, and a Fresno chile along with lemon zest and garlic salt round out the flavors. Don’t forget a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes if you want a little extra kick!
Balance of Flavors – Don’t be scared by the Fresno pepper or the hot pepper jelly in this recipe. The rich, tangy cheese portion of the dip stands up well to the fruity heat it has. Most pepper jellies you’ll find at the grocery store are on the mild side and more sweet than anything else. If you love that combination of sweet and savory, you’ll love this.

How to Make Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly

Make sure that your goat cheese and cream cheese are at room temperature and soft.
Preheat the oven or grill to 350 degrees. If doing this on the grill prepare your grill for indirect grilling.
Heat a small skillet over medium heat with the olive oil. Add the shallots and diced Fresno and sauté until tender and the shallots are translucent. Let slightly cool.
Add the cream cheese and goat cheese to a bowl and using a hand mixer or wooden spoon mix until smooth and creamy.

Add the cooled vegetables, lemon zest, garlic salt, and scallions and mix until fully combined. Taste and add additional salt if needed.
Spread the cheese mixture into an oven or grill safe baking dish.
Top the goat cheese mixture with the pepper jelly. You can loosen it up in the microwave or on the stovetop of desired. For a little extra heat sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes over the top.
Let the dip bake for 12-15 minutes until just warmed through.
Garnish with extra green onions and serve with your favorite dippers.

Variations

Instead of lemon zest add orange zest. This compliments the fruitiness of the Fresno well.
Swap the Fresno pepper for a fresh jalapeno.
For a milder flavor profile use finely diced red bell pepper. You’ll need about 1/4 cup.
Instead of green onions use fresh chives.
The hot pepper jelly adds plenty of sweetness to this dip, but if you like things extra sweet add a tablespoon of honey to the cheese mixture. You can even use hot honey.
Add a little crunch to the top with chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds. Add them when the dip comes out so they don’t burn.

How to Serve Goat Cheese and Hot Pepper Jelly

Grilled or baked crostini
Crackers
Pretzel chips
Fresh vegetables such as carrots, celery, or cucumber slices. Radishes are also really good.
Roasted or grilled vegetables such as Brussels sprouts or asparagus
Spread onto a burger
Use leftovers on a turkey or ham sandwich.
Sliced apples or pears
Grapes
Crispy salami or pepperoni chips

Tips From the Beach

If you can’t find the 10 ounce log of goat cheese feel free to use two 4 ounce logs. This is also a great option for those that don’t like the tang of goat cheese and will give a more mild flavor.
Depending on the brand of the pepper jelly it can be hard to spread, especially if refrigerated. Place it in a microwave safe bowl or cup and microwave in 15 second intervals until it is pliable and easy to spread.

How spicy is baked goat cheese spread with pepper jelly?

This is a milder dip, but you have the ability to up the level of spice. Removing the seeds and ribs from the Fresno cuts back on the heat, and the pepper jelly itself isn’t that hot unless it is a specific pepper jelly like habanero.