Stuffed Date “Candy” Bugs
Finger lickin’ goodies with a calcium-rich center
Dates are nature’s candy—so naturally sweet! Increase their nutritional value by stuffing them with calcium rich cream cheese flavored with maple syrup and peanut butter.
Serves 4 - 6; double the recipe for a party platter.
**Omit the orange juice and peanut butter for babies under 12 months. Mash up for babies 8 to 10 months old, and be sure to cut into age appropriate bites for other early eaters.
What you’ll need
• 2 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tsp maple syrup
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp orange juice**
• 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter (optional)**
Making your bugs
1) Mix cream cheese, maple syrup, ginger, orange juice and peanut butter until smooth.
2) Cut each date with a slit lengthwise to open and remove stone.
3) Fill the centers with cream cheese and press closed. The dates will be sticky enough to stay closed on their own.
4) Decorate as desired!
Want to up the Halloween ante? Black licorice-lace antennae make these morsels look like creepy crawlies!
Next: Pumpkin Patch Mini-Muffins