NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — If you're headed to a Thanksgiving dinner this week and are unsure what to bring, these two recipes are for you. These two starters will keep the party lively while waiting for the big meal. The two appetizers, lil smokies wrapped in candied bacon and bacon date cream dip, will have your guests talking into the New Year! Lil' Smokies Wrapped in Candied Bacon Ingredients: Two packs of bacon (26 pieces) cut into thirds Two packs of beef lil' smokies Brown sugar Instructions: Preheat oven to 415 degrees. Place a 1/2 cup of brown sugar onto a plate. Set up an assembly line with the Lil smokies, bacon, and brown sugar. Take a piece of bacon lightly and coat it with the brown sugar on both sides. Then take a little smokie roll it up in the bacon and secure it with a toothpick. Then set into a glass baking dish. The glass baking dish makes a difference compared to a regular sheet pan. Cover with a handful or two of brown sugar and pop into a 415-degree oven for about 35 minutes, but keep an eye on them. It could take a little longer or a little less time depending on your oven. Once cooked all the way through, let them cool for at least 10 minutes. This lets that caramelization from the brown sugar thicken. Transfer to a serving plate. Creamy Bacon Date Dip Ingredients: 1 pack of bacon, cut in half 1 cup of dates, pitted and chopped 1 block of cream cheese 1 block of goat cheese, 8 ounces 1/2 cup of heavy cream Honey Rosemary Brown sugar Crackers or crustinies Instructions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees On a sheet pan with half-cut pieces of bacon, twist and lay onto the pan. Place into the oven until almost cooked through, not all the way. In a mixer or just by hand, add goat cheese, cream cheese, and heavy whipping cream into a bowl. Whip that until it creates a thick but creamy mixture. Pour the cream mixture into whichever bowl you'll be serving the dip in, and place in the fridge. Head over to the almost cooked-through bacon and add dates, honey, brown sugar, and rosemary. Pop back into the oven for about 10 minutes. Pull the cream mixture out of the fridge and top with the sweet bacon mixture. Mix with the cream. Serve with crackers or crustinies. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW