Baked Herbed Goat Cheese

Quarantine has definitely given people more time to cook and bake at home. I wouldn’t say I’m baking any more than usual, but what I’m baking has changed a little, and when I’m baking.

Now, the recipes with multiple steps or chill /resting time seem appealing because we have the time. And, it feels productive to know dough is chilling in the refrigerator while I go about my day doing other things.

Below is a “recipe” for delicious baked herbed goat cheese. I say “recipe” because I really just threw some things together and hoped for the best 🙂

Ingredients: 

• Herbed Goat Cheese (any kind would work. I had the pre-herbed kind from the grocery store)
• Sour Cream
• Cream Cheese
• Parmesan Cheese
• Pepper
• Garlic Powder

A note on measurements: This will mostly depend on the consistency you’re going for and the size of your baking dish. Because you’re baking the dip, you don’t want the initial mixture to be too runny. Baking the cheese will naturally cause it to melt and become softer, so if it starts out too runny, you won’t get the dip consistency you want for an appetizer/snack like this.

I used (1) 4 oz. goat cheese, 2 tbsp. sour cream, 2 tbsp. cream cheese, 1 tbsp. parmesan, and then garlic and pepper to taste.

Instructions:

1. Set the goat cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese out 15 minutes before you’re ready to get started. This will help the ingredients come up to room temperature, making them easier to mix together.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. When you’re ready to get started, combine the goat cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese in a bowl. I just used a wooden spoon to mix everything (I don’t pull out the mixer for quick things like this unless I really need to).
4. Once those three ingredients are pretty much combined, I added in the parmesan cheese and garlic powder.
5. Then I transferred the cheese mix to my mini cast iron skillet (you can have the cast iron preheating in the oven if you want). If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, any oven safe baking dish will work.
6. Smooth out the cheese mixture into an even layer. Then, sprinkle some pepper on top and put the cast iron in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese starts to bubble and brown. You can also bake it for 15 min and pop it into the broiler for the last few minutes, but be sure to keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
7. Carefully remove the cast iron from the oven and let the dip settle for a few minutes.
8. Serve it while it’s hot with tortilla chips or warm pita bread!