Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates

Sweet, salty and smoky, these dates are a great crowd-pleaser. Stuff them with simple cream cheese, jalapeno cream cheese or blue cheese to up the flavor experience. YUM!

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time1 hr

Course: Appetizer

Servings:

Calories: 219kcal

Author: Terri @ that's some good cookin'

Ingredients

16 medjool dates
8 slices thin-cut bacon, cut in half crosswise You will need one slice of bacon for every two dates
4 ounces, weight cream cheese (1/2 cup), softened
1 1/2 tablespoons canned or jarred jalapeno peppers, chopped small

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400-degrees F. Line a baking pan (with raised sides) with foil. Set aside.
Pit the dates by making a single slice lengthwise down one side of the date and removing the pit. Do not cut the dates completely in half. Set aside.
Blend the diced jalapenos and cream cheese together. Adjust the quantity of jalapeno to your personal taste.
Fill the cavity of each date the cream cheese filling (see notes). Fold the dates back together and wrap with a piece of bacon, slightly over-lapping the bacon ends. Secure with a wooden toothpick pushed through the date.
Place prepared dates on foil lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Turn the dates over and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until bacon is well browned.

Notes

Other fillings. Other fillings for the dates may include:

plain cream cheese
whole, toasted almonds
blue cheese crumbles
goat cheese or other cheeses

Bacon. The bacon should be thin or medium-sliced. Thick bacon does not work as well because it may not cook well.

Stuffing the dates. For an easy way to stuff the dates, take a little cream cheese and shape it into a "bullet". It will fit nicely into the dates.

Nutrition