Savory Date and Cheddar Cheese Bites
Indulge in these delightful Savory Date and Cheddar Cheese Bites, a perfect blend of sweet and savory that will impress your guests at any gathering. The rich, creamy cheddar cheese melds beautifully with sweet, chewy dates and nutty pecans, all wrapped up in a crumbly, buttery crust. These bite-sized pastries are ideal for appetizers, parties, or as a sophisticated snack. Prepare them in advance and bake just before serving for a warm, melty treat that everyone will love.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups (shredded)
all-purpose flour
1 cup (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
red pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
butter or margarine
1/3 cup (melted)
pitted dates
24 (none)
pecan halves
24 (toasted)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking sheet.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, salt, and red pepper. Stir until well blended.
3
Pour in the melted butter or margarine, mixing gently until the mixture forms a crumbly dough that holds together.
4
Shape the dough into a ball and refrigerate for about 15 minutes for easier handling.
5
While the dough chills, prepare the dates. Make a lengthwise slit in each pitted date and gently insert a pecan half into the opening.
6
Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Take a generous tablespoon of the dough mixture and press it around each stuffed date until completely covered.
7
Arrange the filled dates on the greased baking sheet, ensuring enough space between each one.
8
Chill the pastries in the fridge for 45 minutes. (You can also cover and freeze the stuffed dates for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking.)
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Allow them to cool on a wire rack before serving warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Date and Cheddar Cheese Bites?
They are a delightful appetizer featuring a blend of sweet dates, sharp cheddar cheese, and nutty pecans wrapped in a buttery crust.
What type of cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can use either 1/3 cup of melted butter or melted margarine for the dough.
How do I prepare the dates?
Make a lengthwise slit in each pitted date and gently insert a toasted pecan half into the opening.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How long do these bites need to bake?
They should be baked for 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Yes, the dough should be refrigerated for about 15 minutes before handling to make it easier to work with.
Is there a second chilling period?
Yes, once the dates are covered in dough, the pastries should be chilled in the fridge for 45 minutes before baking.
Can I freeze these appetizers?
Yes, you can cover and freeze the stuffed dates for up to one month.
Do I need to thaw frozen bites before baking?
Yes, you should thaw the frozen dates in the refrigerator before placing them in the oven.
How many bites does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to make 24 individual cheese bites.
What spices are included in the dough?
The dough includes 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper for a savory kick.
What type of flour is required?
The recipe uses 1 cup of all-purpose flour.
How should I serve these?
They can be served warm or at room temperature after cooling on a wire rack.
Should the pecans be toasted?
Yes, the ingredients list specifies using 24 toasted pecan halves.
How much dough should I use for each date?
Use a generous tablespoon of the dough mixture to press around each stuffed date.
Should the baking sheet be greased?
Yes, you should grease the baking sheet before arranging the filled dates.
What is the first step in making the dough?
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, salt, and red pepper.
How do I combine the butter with the dry ingredients?
Pour in the melted butter and mix gently until the mixture forms a crumbly dough that holds together.
Are these suitable for parties?
Absolutely, these bite-sized pastries are ideal for appetizers, parties, or sophisticated snacking.
What if my dough is too difficult to handle?
Refrigerating the dough for the recommended 15 minutes will help significantly with handling.
Can I use dates that have pits?
You should use pitted dates or ensure you remove the pits before inserting the pecan halves.
How do I know the bites are finished baking?
They are done once they reach a golden brown color.
What is the texture of the crust?
The crust is described as crumbly, buttery, and rich due to the cheddar cheese and butter.
Can I make these in advance?
Yes, you can prepare them through the stuffing stage and store them in the fridge or freezer.
What is the flavor profile?
It is a perfect blend of sweet from the dates and savory from the cheddar and red pepper.
Is a wire rack necessary?
A wire rack is recommended for cooling the bites properly before serving.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients: cheese, flour, salt, red pepper, butter, dates, and pecans.
Can I substitute the pecans?
While pecans are traditional for this recipe, other toasted nuts like walnuts could be used.
Is the red pepper very spicy?
With only 1/4 teaspoon, the red pepper provides a subtle warmth rather than intense heat.