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5-Ingredient Cream Cheese Stuffed Dates with Hot Honey Recipe

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4.2 from 9 reviews

This easy and elegant appetizer features sweet medjool dates stuffed with creamy plain cream cheese, topped with crunchy walnuts, and finished with a drizzle of spicy hot honey and a sprinkle of flaky salt. Perfect for a quick party snack or a sophisticated bite to impress guests.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

Dates and Filling

  • 12 medjool dates, pitted
  • 4 ounces (125 grams) plain cream cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts

Toppings

  • Hot honey, for drizzling
  • Flaky salt, for sprinkling
  • Optional: Fresh thyme or rosemary, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Remove the cream cheese from the fridge to soften while you preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure the dates bake evenly and the filling melts slightly.
  2. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a small baking sheet or baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  3. Prepare Dates: If your medjool dates are not pitted, use a small sharp knife to make a lengthwise slit on one side of each date, careful not to slice all the way through. Remove the pits gently.
  4. Stuff Dates: Open each date and stuff it with about 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons of plain cream cheese, being careful to fill but not tear the fruit. Place the stuffed dates on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Add Walnuts: Sprinkle the chopped walnuts evenly over the top of the stuffed dates to add a crunchy texture contrast.
  6. Bake Dates: Bake the stuffed dates for 10 minutes to slightly melt the cream cheese and warm the fruit for enhanced flavor.
  7. Cool and Garnish: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the dates sit for 5 minutes to cool slightly and set the filling.
  8. Serve: Transfer the dates to a serving tray, drizzle with hot honey to add sweetness and heat, sprinkle flaky salt for balance, and optionally garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use medjool dates for the best natural sweetness and size suitability for stuffing.
  • Room temperature cream cheese is easier to stuff and melts better in the oven.
  • Adjust the amount of hot honey according to your preferred spice level.
  • Walnuts can be substituted with pecans or almonds for different nutty flavors.
  • This appetizer is best served fresh but can be prepared a few hours ahead and refrigerated before baking.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://iamstarved.com/5-ingredient-cream-cheese-stuffed-dates-with-hot-honey-recipe/