Little treats to add to your Christmas entertaining repertoire! I’m fortunate to have neighbours who like to try things I make. I made the dates a couple of years ago for a dinner get-together over the Christmas holidays. WE ALL LOVED THEM! I now make these special treats every December! Everything seems to be better with Mascarpone!
Makes 8 Servings
12 or more shelled whole walnuts
½ cup mascarpone cheese
½ cup ricotta cheese, top quality creamy & not grainy
6 Tbsp. berry sugar
2 Tbsp. good brandy or grappa
24 Medjool dates
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the shelled walnuts onto a baking sheet and toast 8 -10 minutes. Cool.
Combine the mascarpone and ricotta cheese in a medium sized bowl with the sugar and brandy or grappa, using a hand-held mixer.
Divide each walnut in half along its seam.
Slit the dates vertically down one side with a sharp knife, without cutting through the other side. Remove the pit. Fill each date with a teaspoon or so of the mascarpone mixture (you can use a piping bag, it seems a little easier). Add a walnut half to each date and gently close them up a little. Refrigerate for about an hour before serving.
Buon appettito!
YUM ! I think even I could make these! 😀
You most certainly can and should! And you should be able to get good dates in Cali. They need to be large ones. I think they are wonderful!