Target: 6 × 4 inches · landscape

Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese

52 min · 18 bites

Ingredients

□ 18 large Medjool dates

□ 4 oz soft goat cheese

□ 9 thin-cut bacon slices

□ 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

□ 18 food-safe wooden toothpicks

1. Soak toothpicks while heating oven to 400 F. Line a rimmed pan with foil and set a wire rack over it.

2. Pit dates, keeping one side intact. Stir goat cheese with black pepper until smooth.

3. Fill dates with goat cheese. Halve bacon slices, wrap around each date, and secure the seam with a soaked toothpick.

4. Set bites seam-side down on the rack. Bake at 400 F, turning if needed, until bacon is browned and crisp.

5. Drain on paper towel and rest 3 minutes. Serve warm; tell guests picks are hot and provide a discard dish.

Cook’s note: Space the bites on the rack so hot air can crisp the bacon.