These bacon-wrapped dates are the perfect "pop it in your mouth" kind of appetizer to serve at parties. The salty bacon, sweet date, spiced powder and crunchy almond all meld together to form an explosion of flavor with each bite. Your guests will love them!
Ingredients:
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- 2 Tbs Chinese Five-Spice Powder
- 1 1/2 Tbs Butter
- 36 Whole Almonds
- 36 Pitted Dates
- Bacon, Cut Shortwise, Into Three Equal Pieces
- 3 Tbs Brown Sugar
- Toothpicks
Directions:
- Cover a cookie sheet with tin foil, and preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Melt butter in a saute pan and add almonds.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle with five-spice powder, and toss to coat evenly.
- Stuff one almond into each date.
- Wrap each date with a third of a piece of bacon, and secure with a toothpick.
- Put the brown sugar in a shallow dish, and using the toothpick, pick up each date and dab brown sugar so that a little sugar sticks to the bacon. (This step gives the final appetizers a nice caramelized coating!)
- Place on a cookie sheet 1-inch apart, and bake for 6 minutes.
- Flip over and bake for another 6-8 minutes, or until bacon is crisp.
- Remove and place on a paper town to absorb any extra oil.
- Serve! They're good hot and at room temperature, so don't worry about having to keep them warm.
* Recipe was featured on the Today Show.
Another option: Try stuffing the dates with blue cheese instead of the almonds. It's also a delicious treat!
