I love dates, and I love bacon, so why not marry the two and add some Cocoa-Chili powder while I’m at it? These candied bacon-wrapped dates are delicious. They are sweet like candy and give just the right amount of savory and spice to make you want to keep coming back for more!
- Prep Time: 15m
- Cook Time: 15m
- Total Time: 30m
- Yield: 24
- Category: Appetizers
Ingredients
Candied Bacon Wrapped Dates
- 12 bacon strips, thick cut, ask your butcher at the local market
- 24 dates, pitted to make things easier
- 1/4 c cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 c packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. cocoa chile blend powder
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Cocoa Chile Powder
- tbsp. ancho chili powder
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tbsp. cumin
- 2 tbsp. oregano
- 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
Instructions
Candied Bacon Wrapped Dates
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut bacon in half crosswise. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until partially cooked but not crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain.
- Cut a lengthwise slit down the center of each date: fill with 1/2 teaspoon of cream cheese. 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 date with a bacon piece, sugar side out. Secure with a toothpick.
- Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 12-15 minutes or until bacon is crisp.
Cocoa Chile Powder
- Shake everything together in a small jar, cover and store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.