Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Manchego

(shared by Courtney)

Ingredients:

• 15 Medjool pitted dates
• 1 pound aged Manchego, cut into 15 blocks
• 5 slices bacon, cut into thirds
• 1/2 cup maple syrup

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Make an incision on one side of each date and insert a block of Manchego. Squeeze the date shut in your hand to secure. Wrap each date with a bacon strip and secure with a toothpick. Place all the dates on a sheet tray lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Roast the dates in the oven until the bacon on top is starting tocrisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the dates over and cook the other side until the bacon crisps.

Remove the dates from the oven and brush both sides with maple syrup. Return the dates to the oven until they are really crackly and sticky, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve hot.

**Courtney's notes:

The recipe makes it for 15, but I made more cause I knew 15 wouldn't be enough. I also had to cook the bacon longer than 5-6 minutes on both sides. I just kept checking every couple of minutes till it looked alright.