Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Bacon-wrapped dates are the ultimate appetizer for Thanksgiving and the holidays. They might not win a beauty pageant, but trust me, they will disappear from the table before you can say, “Come on in.” The combination of salty, crispy bacon with sugar-sweet dates and creamy cheese in the middle is absolutely irresistible.

Assembling bacon-wrapped dates is like the grown-up version of playing with your food, so set up your assembly line and go to town. Stuff a date, wrap it in bacon, stick a toothpick in it, and you’re done. It’s that easy! The recipe here makes enough for a small party, but you can scale everything up (or down) to the size of your gathering. Here’s how to make them.

• Bacon-wrapped dates are always a hit. Make extra because, trust me, they’ll be gone in a flash.
• You can assemble them ahead. You can assemble everything the day before you plan to bake them and keep them covered in the refrigerator until needed.

• Dates: Look for large, thumb-sized Medjool dates in the produce section at the grocery store, not the baking aisle. Try to pick ones that look soft and plump, not shriveled and dry.
• Bacon: Bacon of any thickness will work in this recipe, but regular bacon — not super thin, and not too thick – works best. This gives the best amount of bacon-y goodness to the bite without either feeling flimsy or over the top.
• Cheese: Creamy, tangy goat cheese or blue cheese work well here.

1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat and set aside.
2. Cut open the dates. Use a paring knife to cut a slit in the side of 20 to 24 dates. Use your thumbs to open the date slightly. Remove the pits if your dates still have them inside.
3. Stuff with cheese. Use a spoon to stuff a little goat cheese or blue cheese into each date. Use the back of the spoon to press the cheese into the date. If you’re adding almonds, press an almond or two into the cheese. Press the date closed.
4. Wrap the dates with bacon. Cut the bacon in half crosswise. Wrap each date with a half-strip of bacon. Secure the end of the bacon with a toothpick.
5. Place on the baking sheet. Place the stuffed dates on their sides on the baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart.
6. Bake for 15 minutes. Bake the dates for 15 minutes.
7. Flip and bake for 15 to 20 minutes more. Flip the dates. Keep an eye on the dates and remove from the oven as soon as the bacon is as crispy as you like it, 15 to 20 minutes more.
8. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. If the dates seem greasy, blot the sides as well as the bottoms with paper towels. Serve warm or room temperature.

• Dried fruit: If you’re not in the mood for dates, dried figs make a delicious alternative.
• Cheese: Feel free to use other types of cheese, like Asiago, smoked cheddar, or gouda.
• Nuts: Smoked almonds are particularly fantastic here.

The dates can be prepped and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one day before baking.

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