Date Me

I'm a genius. Or, at least the internet has made me a genius. Or, at least I made the internet better…I think. If you're reading this, you're about to make the best Bacon Wrapped Dates EVER! You're welcome.

What you'll need:

Trader Joe's 7 Medjool Dates (2 dates is the equivalent of 110 Calories) (385)
4 Slices of Applewood Smoked Bacon (2 strips is equivalent to 80 C) (160)
Trader Joe's Light Whipped Cream Cheese (2 Tbsp is 70 C)
Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds (42.5 C for 7 almonds)
Victorine Valley Farms Balsamic Vinegar (1 Tbsp is 15 C)
100% Pure Grade A Honey (1 Tbsp is 60 C)
Pure Cane Brown Sugar (1 Tbsp is 15 C)
Regular toothpicks
Serves: 7 (one per person) or 1 (7 per one me)
Calories: 747.5 Total (not too shabby…but seriously don't eat them all. They pack quite a sugary punch)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Next, gather and prep the ingredients. This includes de-pitting the dates and slicing the bacon in half strips. Next, fill the dates with a small amount of cream cheese - depending on how large the pit is - and place in each one Smokehouse Almond. Put the two halves of the dates together and wrap each one individually with a half-slice of bacon. Secure together with a toothpick.

Place each Date on a baking sheet lined with tin foil (easier to clean up). Cook in the oven for 5 minutes and flip. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Flip again and cook for 3 minutes. Flip one last time and cook for 3 minutes. Once the bacon has been partially cooked, set the oven to broil at 400 degrees. Drizzle a small amount of honey, Balsamic Vinegar, and a pinch of brown sugar on each Date. Cook for 2 minutes. Flip and repeat. Take the Dates out and let them cool on a separate plate for about 5 minutes.

Make sure to be a little frugal with the sugar and honey. If you don't want them to be as sweet, you can remove the Brown Sugar ingredient. Honestly, these were some of the best bacon wrapped dates I've ever had and I'm glad I had the chance this week to get more experimental in the kitchen. Now, I will be leaving to watch more of Bob's Burgers. Have a good cook!

Cheers,
K