Two cheeses, honey, and toasted walnuts. Ten minutes. This is the appetiser I make when I cannot be bothered to cook but still want something on the table that looks like I tried.
Beat mascarpone and goat cheese together with honey, olive oil, and salt until fluffy. Spread it in a dish. Pile toasted walnuts on top and drizzle more honey over everything. Eat it with crackers, bread, sliced apple, your finger. I do not judge. These don’t last long here.
How to Make Goat Cheese and Honey Spread
Toast the Walnuts First
375F (190C). Seven minutes. On a baking sheet, single layer. Set a timer. At six minutes they smell ready. At eight they are burnt. Pull them at seven, let them cool, and chop roughly. 
Beat It Until Fluffy
Combine the mascarpone, goat cheese, one tablespoon of honey, olive oil, and salt. Use a hand mixer. Beat for a full 1-2 minutes until the texture is light and airy, not dense and pasty. The air makes the spread feel lighter on a cracker, which is why people keep eating it without realising how much they have had.
Spread into a serving dish. Scatter the walnuts. Drizzle the remaining two tablespoons of honey over the top. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a day. It firms up slightly cold but softens at room temperature within ten minutes.
Goat Cheese and Honey Spread
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Creamy goat cheese, honey, and walnuts make a simple yet elegant spread. Perfect for parties or a cozy afternoon snack.
Ingredients
- 227 g (8 oz) mascarpone cheese
- 113 g (4 oz) goat cheese
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 59 ml (1/4 cup) chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven for 7 minutes.
- Set aside.
- Combine mascarpone, goat cheese, 1 tbsp honey, olive oil, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Beat with an electric hand mixer until fluffy (1-2 minutes).
- Spread the mixture into a serving dish.
- Drizzle with the remaining 2 tbsp (or more) of honey.
- Sprinkle with toasted walnuts.
- Serve with baguette, focaccia, crackers, or vegetables.
Notes
- For a smoother spread, use a food processor instead of a hand mixer.
- If you don’t have mascarpone, you can substitute with an equal amount of cream cheese.
- Store leftover spread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 20
Find it online: https://honestcooking.com/goat-cheese-honey-spread-recipe/
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip the mascarpone?
The spread will be tangier and stiffer. Mascarpone softens the goat cheese and makes it more approachable. Cream cheese is the closest substitute if mascarpone is unavailable.
What crackers work best?
Plain. Water crackers, lightly salted flatbread, or sliced baguette. Anything with a strong flavour of its own competes with the honey and cheese. Let the spread be the star.
How long does this keep?
Covered in the fridge, 4-5 days. The walnuts soften over time. For the best crunch, toast and add them fresh each time you serve it, keeping the base ready in the fridge.
10-min goat cheese + honey spread = WIN!!
Mascarpone whipped with goat cheese until fluffy was the texture change I didn’t expect. Spread goes on a cracker like a cloud instead of sitting there. I served it to friends last weekend at a casual drinks night and three of them asked what was in it before the walnuts hit the bowl.