Ingredients:

  • 24 Large Medjool dates, pitted (approx. 450g)
  • 12 strips Thin-cut bacon, halved crosswise (approx. 340g)
  • 4 oz Goat cheese, softened at room temperature (115g)
  • 2 tbsp Maple syrup or honey (30ml)
  • 1/2 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper (1g)
  • 1 tsp Fresh thyme leaves, chopped (2g)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice each date lengthwise to create a pocket without cutting all the way through.
  2. Fill the cavity of each date with approximately 1 teaspoon of softened goat cheese and press sides slightly to seal.
  3. Wrap a half-slice of thin-cut bacon snugly around the middle of each stuffed date and secure with a water-soaked toothpick.
  4. Place dates on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced 1 inch apart.
  5. Bake for 15–20 minutes. Two minutes before finishing, brush the tops with maple syrup.
  6. Remove when bacon is crispy and reddish-brown. Garnish with black pepper and fresh thyme.