Maple Bacon & Pecan Cheese Pops

Today is my day to help celebrate Chef Bec (from It’s Yummi) for her 50th Birthday Bash.  I hope you’ve been following along on social media all week, as I joined together with Becca and five other foodie friends, to share recipes and FABULOUS prizes.  There are three more chances for you to WIN below and this specially selected Maple Bacon & Pecan Cheese Pops recipe.

I didn’t think it was possible for a person to love bacon so much….until I met Becca.  Maybe that’s why I like her so much.  As Chef Bec’s 50th Birthday Bash approached I contemplated gift ideas that would be worthy of such a special celebration.

Did you know they make bacon flavored chap stick aka Bacon Balm?  Could be a fun and tasty gift.

How about a nice tube of Bacon Flavored Toothpaste or perhaps Bacon Flavored Toothpicks for that someone special?

Perhaps a little spritz of Bacon Spray Freshener would be a lasting gift sure to make an impression…on someone ;)

While these gifts are quite novel, and would surely be appreciated by my friend the bacon enthusiast….they were lacking the ‘personal’ touch that I was looking for.

Imagine my joy as I rounded the corner of my favorite Antiques Mall and spotted this beauty.  It is so perfectly Becca.  I think she’ll love it.

I also think she’ll love these Maple Bacon & Pecan Cheese Pops made especially for her to enjoy TODAY, on her 50th Birthday.  Woot Woot!!!

Recipe Inspiration:  One of my favorite Cheese Ball recipes calls for a coating of bacon, pecans, and fresh parsley.  Really great flavors…that were quite happy to welcome maple syrup to the party.  And while one big cheese ball would be amazing, this is a birthday party….which calls for cake.  However, besides being an avid bacon fan, Becca is also making healthy choices in her quest to be Fit at Fifty!!  To that I say BRAVO girl.

That’s why I chose a low-carb small bite recipe that would give her the wonderful flavors she loves….in a bite-sized package that she can enjoy guilt free.  I’m not the first to attempt cheese pops.  Check out these other recipe inspirations: Neiman-Marcus’ Goat Cheese Pops and The Kitchn’s Bacon Pops!

We’ve decided that Maple Bacon & Pecan Cheese Pops would be fabulous served on a nice Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing.  Just skip the sticks :)

Maple Bacon & Pecan Cheese Pops

adapted from the Kitchn

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 4 ounces of goat cheese
• 4 ounces of cream cheese softened
• 1/2 tsp. Mrs. Dash garlic & herb seasoning
• 1 Tbl. pure maple syrup
• 5-6 slices cooked maple bacon crumbled (about 1/3 cup)
• 1/3 cup pecans
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley
• 18 lollipop sticks

Instructions

 

• Use a food processor to blend until creamy goat cheese, cream cheese, Mrs. Dash seasoning and maple syrup. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Refrigerate 1 hour or overnight if making ahead.
• Combine cooked bacon, pecans and fresh parsley in a food processor and process until finely chopped.
• Roll cheese balls in bacon pecan coating so they are well coated. Insert lollipop stick into each and chill until ready to serve. Stick into a Styrofoam base to serve.

Notes

This recipe requires a minimum of one hour to chill cheese balls.
Serving = 3 Maple Bacon & Pecan Cheese Pops

Now about those FABULOUS GIVEAWAYS.

Check out the other delicious Birthday Bash recipes that have been shared this week.

Slow Cooker Italian Meatloaf ~ It’s Yummi!

Bacon Jalapeno and Monterey Jack Tamale Bites ~ Rants from my Crazy Kitchen

Healthy Greek Yogurt Snack Dip ~ It’s Yummi!

Oatmeal Cream Pies ~ The Haas Machine

Sweet and Spicy Bratwurst Chili ~ It’s Yummi!

Brown Butter Hazelnut Brownies ~ My Imperfect Kitchen

Blueberry Crostata ~ City Girl, Country Life

Other recipes you might enjoy:

Spinach & Brussels Sprout Salad {with Maple Bacon Dressing}