Preheat oven to 400°F.

Line a baking sheet with foil.

Arrange bacon slices on top of the foil.

Place sheet in the oven. Cook until bacon is 75% cooked (about 12 to 14 minutes).

Remove from the oven. Set aside and allow to cool enough to handle.

Keep the oven on at the same temperature.

When cooled, cut bacon strips in 1/2.

Wrap each date with a 1/2 slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick.

Place wrapped dates in an oven safe dish or pan (Choose one big and deep enough to include the dates and 3/4 cup sauce you will prepare next.)

Pour balsamic vinegar and maple syrup in a sauce pan. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil.

Pour sauce over the wrapped dates.

Place in hot oven and bake for 3 to 4 minutes.

Remove from the oven. Using tongs, carefully place the wrapped dates on a serving dish or in a cast iron skillet (Choose one deep enough to hold the sauce you will pour over the dates next.)

Pour sauce from the baking dish over the wrapped dates.

Serve immediately.