Dates are at the top of the sweetest fruit list in the world. They grow on large date palms and are native to North Africa and the Middle East. If you have visited Muslim countries, you know that dates are used during Ramadan to break the daily fast once the sun goes down.

You are most likely familiar with Medjool dates that are available at grocery stores in the US.

Dates for most of us are an on-the-go snack that we eat with nuts, an ingredient that we add to smoothies, or some of us are familiar with those Israeli Date Cookies. However, I would argue that dates are a true undiscovered treasure when it comes to dishes in the western world and we need to expand out palates and seek out more date recipes.

Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese are one of my go-to appetizers when invited to dinner and asked to bring something. They are sweet yet savory, and the crispy bacon mixed with warm and gooey cheese makes them a hit every time! They can serve as an appetizer or a dessert.

The year Noah and I got married, I hosted my first Christmas Eve for the family. The plan was to serve appetizers and play games. I remember being worried and anxious.

Noah has rather strong Scandinavian heritage and all women in his family can throw lefse together without looking up the recipe. I have been to Scandinavian countries, my Minnesota parents are very Swedish, so I have a general understanding of cuisine and culture but that was not my upbringing and I wasn’t going to take that route with my food on Christmas Eve. To say

I was nervous to host would be an understatement.

I decided to put a charcuterie board together, baked my favorite brie in puff pastry and wrapped dates in bacon! Let me tell you, those dates were a huge hit and oh boy, was I so happy and relieved.

So I want to share my recipe with you!

It won’t take you long, just make sure to get dates ahead of time, because a Target run won’t help you! I get mine at Aldi, Lunds & Byerlys or Costco.

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