Million Dollar Bacon Goat Cheese Appetizer Log

A creamy goat cheese log covered in pieces of candied bacon and finished with a drizzle of hot honey. Easy to make ahead of time and always one of the first things to disappear off the table.

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I made this for the first time after spotting it on a charcuterie board at a family event. There was a log of goat cheese in the middle of the board, completely covered in pieces of candied bacon, with a drizzle of hot honey over the whole thing. My kids and I went straight for it, and it was gone in minutes.

I’ll be honest with you: the candied bacon takes some time. You are looking at about 30 minutes in the oven, so this isn’t a last-minute appetizer. That said, it is very hands-off while it bakes, and if you want a faster option, my Quick + Easy Million Dollar Candied Bacon Bits are a great shortcut that comes together right on the stovetop. Once the bacon is ready, assembly takes just a few minutes, and the result is really worth it.

I’ve made it for parties, holidays, and casual get-togethers, and it always gets the same reaction. People go back for more, and someone always asks for the recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This appetizer comes together quickly once the bacon is made.
• The combination of creamy goat cheese, sweet candied bacon, and a drizzle of honey is really good.
• You can make the bacon a day ahead and assemble everything right before serving.
• It works on a charcuterie board or as a standalone appetizer with crostini on the side.

What Makes This Recipe Work

• The candied bacon is the heart of this recipe. Brown sugar, a little black pepper, and cayenne bake onto the bacon slices until they turn crispy and sticky.
• Goat cheese has just enough tang to balance the sweetness of the bacon and the honey.
• A drizzle of hot honey over the finished log ties everything together and adds a little heat.
• Homemade crostini are easy to make and hold up well under the cheese and bacon.

What You’ll Need to Make Million Dollar Bacon Goat Cheese Log

For the Million Dollar Bacon

• 1 12-ounce 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)

For the Crostini

• 1 baguette
• olive oil
• salt and pepper

Additional Ingredients

• 8-ounce log of goat cheese
• maple syrup, honey, or hot honey

How to Make Million Dollar Bacon Recipe

Make the Candied Bacon

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Set an oven-safe rack on top of the foil. Mix the brown sugar, water, black pepper, and cayenne in a small bowl. Lay the bacon in a single layer on the rack, coat both sides with the sugar mixture, and press it in so it sticks. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using.

Bake the Bacon

Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the slices and bake another 10 to 15 minutes until crispy but not burned. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let it cool completely before breaking it into pieces.

Make the Crostini

Increase the oven temperature to 425°F. Slice the baguette into 1/2-inch pieces and arrange them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes until golden and crisp. Let them cool before serving.

Assemble the Appetizer

Place the goat cheese log on your serving dish. Break the cooled bacon into small pieces and press them into the log, covering it as much as you like. Arrange any extra bacon pieces around the base. Right before serving, drizzle the whole thing with hot honey or regular honey. Serve the crostini alongside.

Ingredient Highlights

• Thick-cut bacon works best here because it holds up well during the long bake and gives you hearty pieces to press into the cheese.
• Goat cheese has a mild tang that balances the sweetness of the candied bacon really nicely.
• Hot honey is the finishing touch that makes this appetizer feel a little special without any extra work.

Make It Your Way

• Use regular honey or a maple syrup drizzle if you prefer less heat.
• Try a log of herbed goat cheese for a little extra flavor in the base.
• Serve with crackers instead of crostini if you want an even easier option.
• Add a few extra pieces of bacon around the plate so guests can scoop up extras with every bite.

What to Serve With Million Dollar Bacon Goat Cheese Log

This appetizer pairs well with other easy starters.

• Philly Cheesesteak Phyllo Bites are always a hit and easy to make ahead.
• Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Appetizers are another great option for a party spread.
• For something light alongside, No-Cook Appetizer Skewers for Any Occasion are simple and require almost no prep at all.

Simple Tips

• Let the bacon cool completely before breaking it into pieces so it stays crispy and doesn’t soften the cheese.
• You can make the candied bacon a day ahead and store it in an airtight container until you are ready to assemble.
• Toast the entire baguette and store leftover crostini in an airtight container for up to three days.
• Assemble the goat cheese log right before serving so everything stays fresh.

Final Thoughts

The candied bacon takes a little time, but it is mostly hands-off while the oven does the work. And if you want to skip the oven step entirely, the stovetop candied bacon bits are a great shortcut that get you to the same place much faster. Either way, once everything is assembled, this appetizer always gets a good reaction.

If you are looking for something a little different to bring to a gathering or set out before dinner, this one is worth making.

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