The flavor profile here is spectacular. These bacon-wrapped dates are stuffed with cream cheese, pecan pieces, and almond extract. Feel free to try this recipe with figs.
- Prep Time: 15m
- Cook Time: 15m
- Total Time: 30m
- Yield: 24
- Category: Appetizers
Ingredients
Candied Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- 12 bacon strips
- 24 pitted dates
- 1/4 c cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 c packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. cocoa chile blend powder
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 c of pecan pieces
- 1/4 tsp. almond extract
Mexican Chile-Cocoa Spice
- 2 tbsp. ancho chile powder
- 2 tbsp. smoked paprika
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 2 tsp. crushed oregano
- 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
Instructions
Candied Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- 1. Preheat oven to 375°. Cut bacon strips in half crosswise. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until partially cooked but not crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain.
- 2. Combine cream cheese, pecans, and almond extract and incorporate well.
- 3. Cut a lengthwise slit down the center of each fig; fill with 1/2 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, chile blend powder and cinnamon. Dip one side of each bacon piece in brown sugar mixture; wrap each fig with a bacon piece, sugar side out. Secure with a toothpick or place seam-side down on the baking pan.
- 4. Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 12-15 minutes or until bacon is crisp.
Mexican Chile-Cocoa Spice
- 1. Shake everything together in a small jar, cover and store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.