A bubbling dish of baked goat cheese and honey with rich caramelized onions and fresh thyme is the ultimate spring appetizer – simple, elegant and packed with flavour!
Warm baked goat cheese layered with caramelized onions and honey is an irresistible spring appetizer. The tangy goat cheese is whipped until creamy, then layered with sweetly caramelized onions for a perfect balance of rich flavours. Topped with golden honey and fresh thyme, this molten cheese dip is best served with crispy baguette crostini for a rustic spring appetizer.
Enjoy this baked goat cheese as the appetizer for a cozy spring dinner, or pair it with a chilled floral cocktail on the patio with friends.
Ingredients
Goat cheese: There are many different styles of goat cheese but for this dish you will want the soft, fresh variety, such as chèvre.
Cream cheese: Blending the goat cheese with cream cheese yields a luscious, creamy cheese while also softening the goat cheese flavour. Bring the cream cheese to room temperature before using.
Onions: Golden caramelized onions add a delicious savoury sweetness to this dish. You will need 2 large onions thinly sliced but don’t worry, they will cook down to a fraction of their original volume. I like to use sweet, or Vidalia onions; but regular yellow onions will work just fine. Caramelizing onions does take some time – they need to be cooked low and slow. Plan for 45 to 60 minutes to fully caramelize the onions. Of course, they can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
How to Make Baked Goat Cheese with HOney Caramelized Onions
Caramelize the onions
In a wide skillet, add the butter and olive oil and heat over medium heat until the butter begins to melt. Add all the onions along with a generous pinch of kosher salt. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes over medium heat until the onions begin to soften. Then turn down the heat to medium low.
Cook the onions over medium low heat until they are very tender and a deep brown colour. Keep an eye on the onions, stirring regularly, to ensure they caramelize evenly and do not stick to the pan. Add a bit more olive oil if the onions begin to stick.
Transfer to a separate bowl and let cool before assembling.
Toast the crostini
Preheat the oven to broil on high. Thinly slice the baguette on a bias and arrange on a baking sheet. Broil the crostini for 3 to 5 minutes until golden brown. Flip the slices and broil the other side until golden brown. Keep an eye on them as they can burn easily. Set aside.
Whip the cheese
In a food processor combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, and 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Blend the cheese, stopping to scrape down the sides once or twice until completely smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Bake the cheese
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a gratin dish with non-stick spray. Drop small dollops of the whipped goat cheese into the dish, using about 1/3 of the cheese. Drop spoonfuls of the onions around the cheese. Lightly drizzle with honey and sprinkle with the chopped thyme. Repeat the layers two more times.
Bake the goat cheese for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbling around the edges and beginning to brown on top.
Serve the Baked Goat Cheese with Honey Caramelized Onions
Serve the baked goat cheese with the toasted crostini and enjoy!
