• Using kitchen shears or a small paring knife, cut each date lengthwise on one side. As you do this, check for any remaining pits or hard pieces on the end of the dates. Remove any excess pits and/or hard pieces. Set dates aside.
  36 large dates
• In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, and garlic powder.
  3 oz cream cheese, 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Finely chop almonds. Add to cream cheese and mix until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
  2 Tbsp roasted almonds
• Open package of bacon. Cut all of the bacon slices in half. Set aside.
  2 lbs sliced bacon
• Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place wire rack on top of parchment paper and spray rack with cooking spray.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees.

To assemble

• Open date slightly at the cut and place aprox ½ teaspoon of cream cheese mixture inside. Press seam together to seal slightly. (Dates should be full but not overflowing.)
• Place stuffed date onto the end of a piece of bacon, roll up lengthwise and secure bacon with a toothpick.
• Place date onto prepared wrack. Repeat with the rest of the dates.

Bake

• Bake dates for 20-25 minutes or until bacon is cooked through.
• Remove toothpicks. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Enjoy!