Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates

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The ultimate in a sweet-salty bite.  You can. stuff these with creamy goat cheese or a crunchy almond...or both ?.  Simply delightful, so make a date with a bacon wrapped date.

If you’ve never had a bacon wrapped date, you’re in for a treat.  I could easily eat the whole dozen myself, but I try to have a teensy bit of discipline and limit myself to 2 or 3.  That is a lofty goal and I can’t say I’ve always been successful.  They’re quite addictively delicious.

These dates are stuffed with Marcona almonds and a tiny piece of Manchego cheese (a sheep’s milk cheese).  Marcona almonds are fattier, sweeter and more round and flat than typical almonds.  You can certainly use regular almonds if you can’t find Marcona almonds, but I really like the texture and sweetness of Marcona almonds for this easy appetizer.  They typically cost more, but use them judiciously.  Not something I’d use for the kid’s trail mix.

When roasted all together the dates get a little stickier and gummy, while the bacon gets nice and crispy and does what bacon typically does.  The cheese melts and the whole little bacon wrapped parcel is a heavenly bite.  I guarantee that if you make these for your get together ornate these to a get together, they’ll disappear.

READY FOR THE OVEN

OUT OF THE OVEN. I ACTUALLY ADDED A COUPLE CHILI PEPPERS TO THIS BATCH. NOT A BAD IDEA.

You can choose to drizzle or not drizzle with the honey before serving.  It lends more sweetness of course, but something about the combination of rosemary with the sweet dates and honey just sends these over the top.

Make these this weekend because you have a date with a bacon wrapped date!

Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates


Makes 1 dozen


4 slices bacon (I like to use uncured bacon, but maple bacon is fabulous for this)
12 dates (no pits)
12 marcona almonds or macadamia nuts
12 small pieces Manchego cheese, about 1/4 inch diameter (or use your favorite cheese) (optional). You'll find goat cheese is incredible in these.
Toothpicks
1 Rosemary sprig rubbed with a tiny bit of olive oil  (optional)
Honey (optional)


Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Stack the bacon and cut into equal thirds so you have 12 pieces of bacon.
Open up each date and stuff with an almond then a piece of cheese if using.  Don’t worry if you accidentally break the date open, once wrapped with bacon no one will notice.

​You can also stuff with goat cheese for a variation on these that is lovely.

Wrap a bacon piece around the date and secure with a toothpick.

Place in a baking dish and if using the rosemary sprig, place on top of the dates.  
Bake 20-25 minutes until the bacon is crispy.  Serve with the rosemary spring alongside for garnish.
​
At this point you can drizzle with a bit of honey if using or leave it out entirely.