I was looking for an easy appetizer to make for a party and wanted to use some Honeycrisp apples (my favorite!) that are now in season. I decided to stuff dates with bits of the apple, add some good bleu cheese and then wrap it all up with bacon.

These things are so addictive – I eat them like candy! I love the mixture of the savory dates, sweet apples, creamy bleu cheese and of course, the crispy, smoky bacon. Everything is better with bacon. Make extra – they will fly off the plate!

Ingredients (makes 30 bacon-wrapped dates)

• 30 dates, pitted (about 8 oz.)
• 15 slices of bacon, cut in half (about 12 oz.)
• 2-3 ounces good bleu cheese
• ½ Honeycrisp apple, cut into small pieces
• 30 wooden toothpicks

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Butterfly the dates by cutting them in half lengthwise, but not all the way through.

Place a slice of apple in each date.

Add a few crumbles of bleu cheese to the dates.

Close the dates and press together to “seal” them to help the cheese from melting out. Wrap each date with a half-slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.

Place the dates on a nonstick baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the bacon is crisp. Turn the dates over after about 15 minutes or so for even cooking.

Drain the cooked dates on paper towels to absorb any of the bacon grease. These can be served warm or at room temperature.

Bon appétit!

Eat, drink and be merry!

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