Man Candy: Cheese Stuffed Medjool Dates Wrapped in Bacon
We call sharp cheddar cheese stuffed Medjool dates wrapped in double smoked bacon Man Candy at our house as the men gather round and inhale every morsel!
Course
Appetizer
Cuisine
Canadian
Prep Time1hour
Cook Time20minutes
Total Time1hour20minutes
Servings40
AuthorValerie Lugonja
Ingredients
40Medjool Dates
40ouncesSharp Cheddar Cheese(We like Imperial and 2 containers filled 60 dates)
20strips of thick double smoked bacon, halved
set of tweezers
parchment covered cookie sheet
Instructions
Remove pits from dates with tweezers
Portion cheese into 40 portions
Stuff one portion of cheese into each date, ensuring the bottom end is secure and sealed so the cheese doesn't get pushed through the date
Close open end of date as much as possible by folding dried candied date over the opening
Wrap each date with 1/2 slice bacon over the opening, lengthwise to keep the cheese in the date
Place on parchment covered cookie sheet, bacon seam side down, close together, but not touching
Preheat oven to 400F
Bake for 20 minutes until bacon is crispy; remove from oven and serve immediately OR
Cool completely and pack in zip lock freezer bags; when ready to eat, place in oven proof serving tray still frozen, and bake at 350F for 20 - 30 minutes until warm and bubbly
Recipe Notes
One tip that works very well to keep the cheese inside the date after wrapping the bacon around the open end of the date, is to refrigerate them all after wrapped tightly; this secures the bacon in place and there is much less cheese escaping during the cooking process.