Dates Wrapped In Cheese Pastry Recipes

DATE-FILLED COOKIE WRAPS

Steps:

• Line 2 cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper, set aside.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and 1 tablespoon sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. On low speed, gradually beat in flour. On large piece of plastic wrap, form dough into 10x5-inch rectangle. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, stir together chopped dates, 1/2 cup water and 2 tablespoons sugar. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cook 5 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Cool 5 minutes. Stir in orange peel, vanilla and walnuts; set aside.
• Heat oven to 325°F. Cut dough in half into 2 squares. On floured surface, roll out 1 square of dough into 10-inch square. Using fluted pastry wheel, trim edges; cut into twenty-five 2-inch squares. Spoon 1 teaspoon date mixture onto center of each 2-inch square. Bring 2 opposite corners of dough together, partially overlapping and covering date mixture. Using fingers dipped in water, press dough to seal. Arrange 1 inch apart on cookie sheets. Repeat with other half of dough.
• In small bowl, beat egg white and 1 tablespoon water; brush onto dough wraps. Sprinkle with coarse white sparkling sugar.
• Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until edges begin to turn golden brown. Cool 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

PARMESAN-STUFFED DATES WRAPPED IN BACON

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450°F.
• Stuff 1 piece of cheese into each date, then wrap 1 piece of bacon around each date, securing it with a pick. Arrange dates 1 inch apart in a shallow baking pan.
• Bake 5 minutes, then turn dates over with tongs and bake until bacon is crisp, 5 to 6 minutes more. Drain on a paper bag or parchment. Serve immediately.

EASY TASTY DATES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Slice open the dates, and stuff each with about 1/2 teaspoon goat cheese. Top each date with a pecan, using the goat cheese to hold the pecans in place. Wrap each date with 1/2 slice bacon.
• Arrange the wrapped dates on a baking sheet. Bake 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bacon is crisp and evenly brown.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, mix the balsamic vinegar and sugar until thickened. Pour over the dates to serve.

DATES WRAPPED IN CHEESE PASTRY

Steps:

• Let the cheese and margarine stand in a bowl at room temperature until softened.
• Cut in the flour and pepper as for pie dough.
• Slit the dates; stuff with the pecan halves.
• Flatten a small amount of dough in the palm of the hand.
• Wrap a date in the dough, sealing completely.
• Repeat with the remaining dough and dates.
• Place on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until light brown.
• Store between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container.