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Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack
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Think of this Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack as the easiest cheesecake you’ll ever make. It’s got the same spirit as a luscious cheesecake, but this snacky little stack comes together in moments. Chopped walnuts and honey form the base while layers of tangy whipped goat cheese and heavy cream sandwich around ripe California-grown figs, kissed with honey and a crack of warming black pepper. It’s topped with more fresh and jammy figs, crunchy walnuts, a drizzle of honey, and tendrils of thyme in a stunning layered stack of effortless elegance.
A Little Sweet and a Little Savory
Combining fruit and cheese is a classic way to blur the lines between sweet and savory. Pairing the right fruit and cheese is a skill that’s all about balance. The natural sweetness of the figs against the slight tang and creamy texture of the goat cheese is a brilliant match. The nutty flavors from the walnuts and a pinch of salt adds contrast in both flavor and texture. The sweet honey, a punch of warm black pepper, and fresh thyme brings all of the delicate flavors together in that special space between sweet and savory. This Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack knows how to walk that line, making it a great recipe for any occasion.
Ingredients to Make a Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack
We know this Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack looks pretty snazzy, but it’s just a handful of simple ingredients dressed to the nines and ready to party. Layering is the key to tying all of the individual ingredients of this delicious appetizer together into a stunning stack of contrasting flavors and textures.
- goat cheese
- heavy cream or Greek yogurt
- fresh California figs
- California walnuts
- honey
- black pepper
- salt
- fresh thyme
- olive oil
- crackers or thin slices of toasted baguette for serving
Simple Swaps
- If you aren’t big on goat cheese, swap in cream cheese.
- For more big flavor, replace some of the goat cheese with blue cheese or Gorgonzola.
- Trade the walnuts for chopped pistachios or almonds.
- Swap the thyme for other herbs like fresh rosemary or sage.
- Spice things up with hot honey.
This Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack can go many different directions, but with the combination of fresh figs, creamy cheese, crunchy nuts, and sweet honey, you can’t really go wrong.
California Fresh Fig Season Runs From May to November
Here in California, we are lucky enough to have the ideal climate for growing figs. Fresh fig season runs from May to November. California specializes in five types of fresh figs: Mission figs, Brown Turkey Figs, Emerald Figs, Sierra Figs, and Tiger Figs. These figs range in color from deep and dark-hued Black Mission Figs to light purple, green, golden, and even the distinct yellow and green striping of Tiger Figs. You can use any fresh figs you choose in this Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack recipe. Just be sure you are looking for California origin on the label to know you’re getting sustainably grown figs from the Golden State. Find them at your local market or if you live in California, look for fresh figs at your favorite farmers’ markets.
How to Assemble & Serve the Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack
Unlike a cheesecake, this Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack doesn’t require any time in the oven. In fact, there is no cooking necessary. It’s all about that stack.
Set up: Get all set up by spraying or brushing the interior of a 4.5”- 5” (approximately 13 cm) round baking ring mold or ramekin with olive oil to prevent the stack from sticking. Place the ring right on the plate you’ll be serving the stack on.
Prep the components: Chop the figs and mix the fig layer, blitz the base walnut layer, prep the goat cheese mixture.
Build the layers: Press the walnut layer in the bottom of the ring to make the base layer. Top with half of the goat cheese. Layer in the chopped fig and honey mixture and then top with the remaining goat cheese.
Chill: Once the main layers have been assembled, chill the stack in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to a few hours to firm up.
Top & Serve: Just before serving, gently remove the ring or ramekin by lifting and lightly twisting. You may need to run an offset spatula along the edge to loosen the stack if it feels sticky. Top with quartered figs, walnuts, a drizzle of honey, a crack of black pepper, and tendrils of thyme and serve with crackers or toasted baguette slices.
How to Serve This Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack
This party pleaser is an obvious elegant appetizer. Just display the Goat Cheese Fig Honey
Walnut Stack on a pretty plate or fancy cake stand and it’s party ready. Serve it alongside your favorite crackers or thinly sliced, toasted baguette. This easy appetizer pairs perfectly with a red wine from California and would fit right in at a holiday party.
The stack itself is a very elegant way to show off the beauty of California figs while looking like something you’d see at a fancy restaurant. But it would also be a big hit as a dessert course.
Sharing a couple of bites of this Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack after a beautiful meal is a softly sweet sayonara. It will linger longer than the last of your guests. We love this Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack. And we love that it can lean sweet or savory and step in to start or end the night right.
Prep Ahead
While the Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack needs time to set up in the fridge, it’s best when assembled a few hours before serving. It can be assembled and stored, wrapped tightly in plastic or in an airtight container, for up to 1 day before topping and serving. Just keep in mind that the figs are at their freshest when served on the same day. However, whenever you decide to serve it, this Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack would be a nice accompaniment to any gathering. Be sure to make it while the California-grown figs are fresh and in season!
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Are you planning on making Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stacks? We’d love to see your creations! Share your photos with us by tagging #CAGROWN on social media.
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Goat Cheese Fig Honey Walnut Stack
Ingredients
- 6 ounces goat cheese
- 2 TBSP heavy cream or Greek yogurt
- 6 California figs divided
- ½ cup walnuts
- 3 tsp honey divided + more for drizzle
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- pinch of salt
- a few sprigs of thyme optional
- olive oil just a touch to keep mold from sticking
Instructions
- Spray or brush the interior of a 4.5 – 5 in (approximately 13 cm) round baking ring mold or ramekin with olive oil, and place on a serving plate.
- Combine the walnuts, 2 tsp of honey, and a pinch of salt in a food processor and pulse until finely crumbled and sticky. Pour the mixture into the center of the ring or ramekin and firmly press into the bottom.
- Combine the goat cheese and heavy cream in a food processor and mix until smooth and creamy. Layer half of the whipped goat cheese mixture on top of the pressed walnut honey base. Then layer on the chopped figs, gently pressing into the mold. Finish with a layer of the remaining goat cheese mixture.
- Quarter 4 of the figs and chop into ½” (1 cm) chunks. Place in a medium bowl, add 1 tsp of honey and black pepper. Gently stir to combine.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes up to 1 day before serving.
- When ready to serve, gently lift and lightly twist the ring to remove. You may need to run an offset spatula along the edge to loosen the stack if it feels sticky. Quarter the remaining figs and decorate the top and sides of the stack. Add a few walnuts, drizzle with honey, add another crack of black pepper, and top with sprigs of thyme. Serve with crisp crackers or toasty baguette slices.