Appetizers,  Healthy Choices,  Low-Carb,  Recipes

Maple Bacon & Pecan Cheese Pops

Maple Bacon & Pecan Cheese Balls from Lemony Thyme

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.

Chef Bec Birthday Bash

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.

Bacon Balm

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

bacon toothpaste

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

Bacon Spray Freshener

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 love you more than bacon

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!!!

Maple Bacon & Pecan Cheese Balls2
Maple Bacon & Pecan Cheese Balls

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.

Maple Bacon & Pecan Cheese Balls1

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
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
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-from-Its-Yummi1

Slow Cooker Italian Meatloaf ~ It’s Yummi!

Bacon-Jalapeno-and-Monterey-Jack-Tamale-Bites

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

Healthy-Greek-Yogurt-Snack-Dip-from-ItsYummi1

Healthy Greek Yogurt Snack Dip ~ It’s Yummi!

Oatmeal-Cream-Pies5

Oatmeal Cream Pies ~ The Haas Machine

Sweet-Spicy-Bratwurst-Chili-from-ItsYummi

Sweet and Spicy Bratwurst Chili ~ It’s Yummi!

Brown Butter Hazelnut Brownies

Brown Butter Hazelnut Brownies ~ My Imperfect Kitchen

Blueberry Crostata

Blueberry Crostata ~ City Girl, Country Life

7 Comments

  • Birthday Bec

    I’m being completely serious here, Libby… this ENTIRE post… EVERYTHING about it, is the most wonderful thing to me. I’ve never heard such a sweet tribute before, and for someone who’s never met me in real life to know me so well is the most touching and amazing thing!
    That pillow is currently cradled under my arm, and if I could find a way to hang it from a chain around my neck, I’d do it in a heartbeat! ♥

    • libby

      I was really torn between the pillow and the bacon freshener spray ;) I’m glad you like it. I couldn’t believe I was snowbound away from home with no computer access as your birthday approached. I made the cheese balls on Monday and they were in the fridge ready for me to roll on Tuesday. Never made it home. When I ran through the door last night I quick rolled them and ran outside in the snow to picture them while I still had light…laughing my butt off the whole time as I barely even said Hi to the fam. I was so glad they hadn’t eaten them in my absence. I’ve got some catching up to do to get busy sharing all the other fabulous recipes. I hope you have the bestest of days today!! xoxo

    • libby

      Thank you so much Gillian. We fell in love with these and thought of Becca right away. I’m loving your oatmeal pies too. I’ve been stranded in a snowstorm for a couple days but am back in front of a computer and will stop by to visit and share.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating