Hot Honey Bourbon Bacon Cheese Dip
A proper cheese dip should carry smoke, sweetness, and heat without turning greasy or heavy.
The bourbon deepens the bacon while the hot honey cuts through the cheddar with slow rolling fire underneath.
Gabe calls this one “football season survival food.”
Ingredients
* 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
* 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
* 4 oz cream cheese
* ¼ cup bourbon
* 2 tbsp hot honey
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1 tsp smoked paprika
* ½ tsp cayenne pepper
* 2 garlic cloves, minced
* Fresh parsley
Steps
1. Cook bacon until crisp, then crumble and set aside.
2. Melt cream cheese and heavy cream together in a saucepan over low heat until smooth.
3. Stir in bourbon, hot honey, smoked paprika, cayenne, and minced garlic.
4. Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese while whisking continuously until silky.
5. Fold in bacon crumbles and simmer lightly for 2 minutes so the smoky flavor settles into the dip.
6. Transfer to a serving bowl or crock and finish with fresh parsley over the top.
7. The finished dip should look glossy, creamy, and streaked with smoky bacon throughout the melted cheese.
Timing
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
Calories: 290
Protein: 9g
Carbs: 5g
Fats: 24g
Storage
Store refrigerated up to 4 days.
Reheat slowly over low heat while stirring to maintain smooth texture.
Excellent for game day food, pretzel dips, burger sliders, fries, and backyard cookout platters.