Bacon-Wrapped Dates

🥓🌰 Bacon-Wrapped Dates 🍯🎉 Bacon-Wrapped Dates are a delightful combination of sweet, salty, and savory flavors that make for a perfect appetizer or party snack. These bite-sized treats feature dates stuffed with creamy cheese, wrapped in crispy bacon, and baked to perfection. They're easy to make and guaranteed to impress your guests! Ingredients 🛒 24 whole dates, pitted 🌰 12 slices bacon, cut in half crosswise 🥓 4 oz cream cheese or goat cheese 🧀 1/4 cup almonds or pecans, toasted and chopped 🌰 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 🍂 (optional) Freshly ground black pepper 🌑, to taste Toothpicks or cocktail sticks 🦷 Instructions 📜 Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). 🔥 Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Prepare the dates: Using a paring knife, make a small slit in each date and remove the pit. 🍴 Stuff the dates: In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese or goat cheese with chopped nuts, ground cinnamon (if using), and black pepper to taste. Spoon a small amount of the cheese mixture into each date cavity. 🧀 Wrap with bacon: Take a half-slice of bacon and wrap it around each stuffed date. Secure the bacon with a toothpick or cocktail stick. Place the wrapped dates seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. 🥓➰