I’m SO excited to share the most delicious and simple appetizer with y’all today — Cheese Stuffed Dates with Prosciutto! Go ahead and add this recipe to your weekend to-do list. I promise these little glorious bites will disappear right before your very eyes! Oh and did I mention, these can be made completely in advance and require ZERO baking!
I tried several different bacon/ prosciutto wrapped date recipes, and I wasn’t going to post one until I found an absolute SHOWSTOPPER! Now I want to give y’all a rundown of each ingredient! Mainly because each one plays such an important role. Good news is there are only six!
Dates are almost like candy in my book. They have a very high sugar content which makes them sweet & super delicious! Personally, I prefer to use Medjool Dates which can be found at any specialty grocery store. Tip: Sam’s Club has an amazing deal on them!
Prosciutto is a cured Italian ham that is cut into very thin slices! I prefer it over bacon which is saying a lot! 😉 This slice of meat is salty, and it matches perfectly with the sweet dates!
Mascarpone is basically a smooth Italian cream cheese.
Goat Cheese is also a creamy cheese that is a little more crumbly than the mascarpone.
Fresh Basil is the abosulte STAR ingredient in this recipe so please don’t skip or substitute it for something else! Tip: Roll the basil leaves to chop more easily.
Honey drizzled on top adds the PERFECT amount of sweetness and texture!
If you’re looking for an appetizer to take to a party this is it! Guests will be RAVING about it y’all! I had foodies beelining toward me for the recipe the last time I made this!
There are a few things I always look for in a “perfect” appetizer. First, can it be made ahead of time?! When I’m having friends or family over, the last thing I want is to be stressing out in the kitchen. The biggest key to being a good hostess is making your guests feel relaxed! If you aren’t, then your guests won’t be either. Second, does it pair well with wine? What can I say I’m a wino! These go perfectly with champagne or prosecco due to the sweet/salty pairing. 🙂 Third, is it easy to pick up? This recipe checks all three boxes!
Cheese Stuffed Dates with Prosciutto
YIELDS 12 SERVINGS (2 PER PERSON)
PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES
Ingredients
1/2 cup (4 ounces) goat cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup (4 ounces) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
12 Medjool dates, halved lengthwise & pitted
12 thin slices prosciutto, halved lengthwise
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Honey for drizzling
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the mascarpone, goat cheese, and fresh basil. Season with salt & pepper, to taste.
- Using a spoon, stuff each date half with about 1 teaspoon of the cheese mixture.
- Wrap a piece of prosciutto around each date and secure with a toothpick.
- Drizzle with honey.
Notes
This appetizer can be made completely ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Drizzle with honey right before serving.
*The fastest way to make this recipe is to work in batches. I like to half & pit all the dates first, then slice the prosciutto, then stuff each date with cheese, and finally wrap each date with prosciutto & secure with a toothpick.
Recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis.
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