The Best Bacon Wrapped Dates

“Peeps, these are my devils on horseback (aka dates, stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon, and baked). However, I stuff mine with an easy-peasy homemade chive cream cheese and that makes mine the best. The recipe is below or you can grab it here: https://www.jessiesheehanbakes.com/2026/02/03/devils-on-horseback-with-chive-cream-cheese/

6 ounces (170 grams) cream cheese, full-fat, room temp
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives, or 1½ tablespoons dried chives
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
24 large dates (340 grams), about 12 ounces, pitted, such as Medjool
12 slices raw thin bacon (not thick-cut), sliced in half crosswise

Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and have ready 24 toothpicks.
Combine the cream cheese, chives, garlic and onion powders and salt in a small bowl with a fork. Make a slit in each date and stretch it open a bit without tearing it in two. You can even press the date flesh a little to make more space on either side of the slit. Stuff each with about 1½ teaspoons cream cheese. Close the slit as best you can (if a little cream cheese pokes out, no worries) and wrap each date in bacon. Pierce with a toothpick through the middle to secure the bacon and place on the prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping the devils over so both sides of the bacon can get crispy, at the halfway point. Serve warm.”