Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Dates

These are SO delicious!  They’re probably one of my favorite appetizers ever.    

Perfect appetizers for holiday parties, dinner parties or for a special dinner for two with your honey on Valentine’s Day. 

Equipment: Toothpicks, Large Baking Pan/Sheet (I use Stoneware), Cutting Board, Small Paring Knife, Small Bowl, Tongs

·      16 organic dates – pitted (buy pitted or remove pit during prep)

·      ¼ cup organic cream cheese, softened

·      ¼ teaspoon Celtic sea salt (See Resources)

·      ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon – optional

·      8 pastured or organic bacon slices, cut in half (See Resources)

·      16 toothpicks

1.    Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2.   Prep dates – open up dates carefully with a paring knife, cut 2 lengthwise slits in the dates, making sure not to cut all the way through the date, remove small piece of date (save to snack on), remove pit if necessary.  See picture.

3.   In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese, sea salt and optional cinnamon.  Stuff dates with about ½ teaspoon of the cheese mixture.

4.   Tightly wrap each cheese stuffed date with ½ slice of bacon.  Secure with toothpick.

5.    Place bacon wrapped dates seam side down on baking pan.  Place baking pan in oven, set timer for 10 minutes.  At 10 minutes, use tongs to flip each bacon wrapped date.  PLEASE USE CAUTION, the bacon grease is very hot, use an oven mitt to protect your hand/arm.  Set timer for another 10 minutes.  Bacon is done when it “looks” crispy and is dark golden brown.  Watch the bacon closely, all ovens cook differently, you don’t want the bacon to burn.  You should be able to tell at the 10-minute mark about how much longer you will need to cook the bacon.  If you’re not sure, just keep an eye on them.  You may need a few more minutes after the 20 minute mark to crisp the bacon enough.

6.   Serve warm or at room temperature.  Make sure to wait a couple of minutes before taking a bite, they are super HOT when they come out of the oven.      

    

Yield: Makes 16 bacon wrapped stuffed dates.