Ingredients:

  • 12 large Medjool dates, pitted (approx. 10 oz / 280g)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 4 oz goat cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely minced
  • 12 whole almonds
  • 6 slices thin-cut bacon
  • 1 tbsp melted butter

Instructions:

  1. Use a paring knife to make a longitudinal slit in each date and remove the pit if not pre-pitted.
  2. Lightly brush the inside of the dates with lemon juice to prevent oxidation and balance sweetness.
  3. In a small bowl, whip the goat cheese until smooth.
  4. Fold in the honey, minced rosemary, and sea salt until the texture is velvety and uniform.
  5. Spoon the cheese mixture into a piping bag or plastic bag with the corner snipped off.
  6. Pipe the cheese mixture into the date cavity until full.
  7. Press one whole almond into the center of the filling.
  8. For the bacon-wrapped version, wrap each date in a half-slice of bacon and brush with melted butter.
  9. Bake for 12 minutes or until bacon is crisp.