Turkey-Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates

Cabot Creamery is a family-farmer owned cooperative of 1200+ farms located all throughout New England & New York. 100% of its profits go back to the farmers, and their cheddar cheese is a protein-rich snack that’s naturally lactose-free (which was especially wonderful for my possibly-lactose-intolerant-self).

This month, Cabot Creamery challenged Recipe ReDux members to create a healthier snack. I received a bunch of awesome cheese samples from them, including Seriously Sharp Cheddar, Extra Sharp Cheddar, Vermont Sharp Cheddar, Pepper Jack, and also their specialty aged cheddars (Alpine, White Oak, and Farmhouse Reserve). It was pretty intense, and I’m going to have a lot of fun dreaming up recipes for the next month! :]

You can also find a lot of different resources on their page (everything from lesson plans to fundraising to earning patches for health) to teach kids about healthy habits! (This is especially fitting at the moment because I’m on my pediatrics rotation, so I definitely applaud them for that! :)

Find out more about Cabot Creamery + connect with them on their social media platforms!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Since I’ve been on my crusade to finish off everything in my apartment before buying anything else, I decided to finally put my giant tub of dates to use. This simple recipe includes just 4 ingredients, and each component hangs out in a differentĀ  food group (unless you want to lump the seeds in with the “protein” category)! I shared it with a couple of my friends from med school and they loved em’!

They’ve also been referring to these as “Hot Dates From Farrah,which, by popular vote, may have to be the unofficial name for these! We’re so very clever. :O It’s probably how we got into med school! (…kidding…)

farmhousereserve

Image from Cabot Cheese

In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that cheddar is actually my least favorite cheese. I actually avoid it whenever possible. You may be wondering, “Well then, what in the world was she thinking when she decided to cook with it?!” and I wouldn’t fault you for it at all.

Basically, I’ve been trying to broaden my horizons and to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone, and trying a food I thought I hated was a good start!

The conclusion?

I absolutely love the way these turned out! For the record, these are very strong words for a former cheddar-avoider. The combination of sweet and salty from the dates and turkey bacon perfectly balance out the cheddar, and there’s also a fun little crunch from the sunflower seeds. These were super easy to make, didn’t take long to bake, and would be awesome as appetizers or snacks. :]!

By posting this recipe, I am entering a recipe challenge sponsored by Cabot Creamery and am eligible toĀ win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Turkey-Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates

stuffeddates2
Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut each of the dates lengthwise and stuff it with a small rectangle of cheese and a few sunflower seeds.
  3. Pinch each date to close, and wrap each one with a strip of turkey bacon.
  4. Arrange them with the open side down onto the baking sheet.
  5. Bake for ~20 minutes (turn the dates at 10 minutes), or until turkey bacon is crisp.
  6. Serve hot!

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41 comments

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  1. Cheddar and turkey bacon- sounds like the perfect combo!
    Jen@jpabstfitness recently posted…Friday Fitness {1}My Profile

    1. Thanks! :D I was very pleasantly surprised and my friends adored em’! :]

  2. First off, you need to rename these as “Hot Dates From Farrah” – hehe! Secondly I love love every type of cheese out there from blue to brie to stinky rind washed cheese and cheddar was the one cheese I never was a big fan of. Until Cabot. Seriously, their variety of cheddars totally changed me into a cheddar lover – especially their new line of Legacy (Alpine Cheddar – swoon.)
    Anyway, I love love any kind of fig/date, cheese stuffed and bacon wrapped so I’ll be making these for sure.

    1. hahaha, I will happily make that their informal name! ;P I’m really glad I’m not alone in the cheddar camp! I love mozzarella, swiss, pepper jack…most of the lighter cheeses, but cheddar was the one I never thought I’d ever enjoy. I’m so happy that I tried Cabot’s cheddar cheese out! <3

      I hope you like em'! :D Have a great weekend! <3

      1. Well I was always one to love a “date” with a big piece of cheddar #HotDate :) but glad we can turn you ladies into cheddar fans too :) Thanks for participating in the contest!
        Regan @ Cabot Creamery recently posted…Farmer Friday: Dutch Hollow FarmMy Profile

        1. I’m glad I got “converted,” so to speak! :D! Thank you for having this contest!

  3. I actually love cheddar, and sweet/salty combos. Sounds delish! But for the record, they should totally be called ā€œhot dates from Farrah.ā€ ;)
    Karen G. recently posted…Friday Five: A Little About MeMy Profile

    1. hahaha, I feel like I really need to rename this dish! :P The sweet/salty combo is definitely one of my favorites!

  4. Okay, I second the Hot Dates from Farrah! Hehehe :D This is such a unique recipe, and the turkey is such a healthy alternative to things like bacon and prusciutto that are so popular for wrapping around food.
    jess meddows recently posted…Ruined Castle Blue MountainsMy Profile

    1. hahaha, I’m glad everyone’s liking the alternate name! :P I see all sorts of things wrapped in bacon + prosciutto, but can never have any of it, so I figured turkey bacon would be a good (+ healthier) alternative! :]

  5. Sweet and salty is such a great combination! Great idea!
    Emilie recently posted…Should You Adopt A Pet?My Profile

    1. Thanks! It’s definitely one of my favorite flavor combos! :]!

  6. Cheese & bacon!? I am DOWN..even if there are dates involved. Haha
    Isabella @ LaBellaVidaDesign recently posted…My 5 Biggest Dating MistakesMy Profile

    1. Hehehe, are you not a fan of dates? I never really had them much until a year or two ago! :O

  7. I had no idea Cabot Creamery was a family-farmer owned cooperative and that they give 100% of profits back to farmers. Well then sign me up for more Cabot cheese in my future! I’ve also always been drawn to it because Cabot is the name of Wade’s hometown he grew up in and went to high school…haha. No kidding.

    There is an appetizer very similar to this served at one of my favorite restaurants AND it’s called “hot dates” too! I thought about making some bacon wrapped dates for my engagement party coming up. Now you’ve convinced me. Great recipe, Farrah!
    Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating recently posted…Vegan Banana Blueberry MuffinsMy Profile

    1. Oh wow, what a coincidence! :O I’d never actually heard of Cabot before I stepped into the blogging world (probably because I wasn’t willing to step into the world of cheddar before), but I’m really glad I got to find out more about them/try it out! :] I think it’s awesome what they do. :D

      Thank you! :O I actually made them again today for my church friends and one of them said it’d be awesome as hors d’oeuvres for a wedding reception (or engagement party), so hooray! :D I can’t wait to see pictures of your engagement party! <3

  8. Your recipes always look amazing and this one looks easy enough that even I couldn’t screw it up lol. Thanks for sharing!
    Mags recently posted…Orlando SpeakeasiesMy Profile

    1. Aww, thank you so much! This one is indeed on the easier side of the spectrum, so I hope it goes well! <3!

  9. Mmm looks delish and perfect for a Super Bowl party!
    Annmarie recently posted…Inspirational Women Who Live The #NoExcuses LifeMy Profile

    1. Yes indeed! :D I wonder if my friends are doing anything for that this year… (I don’t watch football, but the company + the food would be awesome! :P )

  10. Great post Farrah! These dates sound awesome, and I love your addition of the sunflower seeds for a little more texture. Keeping with the spicy theme of the month, I think a little Sriracha on these would be incredible!

    1. Thank you! I love that idea! Sriracha makes everything better! ;P

  11. Yum! The combo of dates and bacon is so delicious..but adding CHEESE? Even better, I bet! Thanks for sharing :)
    Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Recipe of the week: turmeric roasted cauliflowerMy Profile

    1. :D! It was a happy discovery! I still have a bunch of dates left, so I’m gonna be experimenting some more! :]!

  12. I think these look really good..something my husband and son would enjoy I’m sure (they don’t eat dates- but THIS would make them WANT to I believe!)
    AJ @ NutriFitMama recently posted…Healthy Travel Spotlight- Amelia Island FloridaMy Profile

    1. hahaha, they won’t know what hit em’! ;P I hope you and your family enjoy if you do end up trying it! :D!

  13. Oh my gosh yummmmm those sound so good!! I would have never thought to add cheese, but it just sounds so right <3

    I actually posted a recipe for something similar on my blog a couple years ago. Except mine were much less healthy :P I stuffed the dates with peanut butter, then wrapped them with regular bacon! Nomnomnom.
    Ariana recently posted…5 Tips for Staying Motivated During a Tough WorkoutMy Profile

    1. :O!!! I never would’ve thought to try stuffing em’ with peanut butter! I have a tonnnnn of peanut butter, so that’s definitely gonna have to happen soon. Thanks for the idea! <3

  14. This is such a BRILLIANT idea! I love dates – but never thought to eat them with cheese – thinking about it it’s the perfect way to balance off the sweet dates – and that bacon – that just makes these EPIC!

    1. Thank you! :D I made it again for my friends at church over the weekend and they really liked it, despite the fact that they usually don’t eat much meat or cheese! :D

  15. This is such a BRILLIANT idea! I love dates – but never thought to eat them with cheese – thinking about it it’s the perfect way to balance off the sweet dates – and that bacon – that just makes these EPIC!!

  16. So simple, yet sound so good. I’ve had dates filled with nuts before, but wrapped in turkey bacon sounds even better.

    1. I only recently discovered the awesomeness of turkey bacon, so I’ve been trying to throw it into different recipes to make up for lost time! :P

  17. Oh my! These look delicious. Pinned for future reference. I can taste the sweet and salty right now!
    Bobbie recently posted…Ask Away Friday: Love, Marriage, & Valentine’s DayMy Profile

    1. Thank you! :D They’re a fun snack to have!

  18. Anything with bacon (even turkey bacon) is a winner in my book! I’ve had bacon-wrapped dates (stuffed with cheese) before and they were amazing. I hope you win the contest!

    1. Aww, thanks! :D That’d be awesome, although my philosophy in regards to recipe contests is that they’re almost always a win-win. Either way, I’ll get something awesome out of it (whether it be food or the actual prize ;)!

  19. Sounds delicious to me!
    Cindys Recipes and Writings recently posted…Cheddary Good Chicken Bites #RecipeReDux #sponsoredMy Profile

    1. Thank you! :D!

  20. i loveee cheddar cheese or any cheese on that matter. i love the date-cheese combo, bacon im not into it that so much though.
    Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health recently posted…Cauliflower, Leek and Cheddar SoupMy Profile

    1. I made a vegetarian version for my church with just the dates/cheese/sunflower seeds and it was still delicious! :D Hooray for adaptability? :]

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