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!
Servings: 40
Ingredients
- 40 Medjool Dates
- 40 ounces Sharp Cheddar Cheese (We like Imperial and 2 containers filled 60 dates)
- 20 strips 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
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.