Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Manchego Cheese

Ingredients

• 8 slices bacon cut into thirds
• 24  dates dried pitted
• 4 ounces manchego cheese cut into 24 small cubes
• 24  wooden toothpicks 
• 24  wooden toothpicks 

Equipment

• paper towels
• oven
• baking pan
• toothpicks
• tongs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Stuff 1 piece manchego cheese into each date and then wrap with 1 piece bacon, securing with a toothpick. Arrange dates in a shallow baking dish with the bacon seam down and 1 inch between pieces.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes, turn dates with tongs, and continue baking until bacon is crisp, 5 to 6 minutes more.
4. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels.