Easy Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates with Almonds Recipe
Sweet and luscious Cream Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are a delicious appetizer and will be the star of the show at any holiday party or game day bash!
4ouncescold cream cheese,cut into 18 one-inch by a quarter inch pieces
12ouncesMedjool pitted dates
18whole almondssalted and roasted
9slicesraw bacon,cut in half
18wooden picks
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 400°F. Cut the cream cheese into 18 one-inch by one-fourth-inch pieces.
To stuff the whole date, look for the hole at the top. Widen this hole carefully with your finger or a small paring knife, and then open it along the side it was cut when the pit was removed. Stuff one piece of cream cheese and one almond into each date.
Once the almond-stuffed dates are stuffed, wrap a half slice of bacon around each date and secure it with a toothpick.
Arrange the dates with bacon seam side down on a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Bake for 10 minutes or until the bacon starts to brown, then turn the dates over and cook for another 10-15 minutes or until the bacon is golden brown and crispy.
These dates are best when served warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Be sure to purchase dates that have been pitted, and I highly recommend tender Medjool dates.Do not refrigerate your dates before stuffing them. They will firm up, and you will have a hard time opening them enough to stuff in the cream cheese and almonds.It's easier to handle your cream cheese if it is very cold. I put the cream cheese in first and then use the almond to stuff it in.This recipe may produce smoke, so as a precaution, turn on your stove exhaust fan before cooking the dates.The cooking times listed in this recipe are approximate and depend on the dates' size and the bacon's thickness.This easy appetizer is so good that you might want to think about making a double batch.