Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut bacon into thirds. (Lengthwise)

In a small shallow bowl, combine the brown sugar, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.

Gently hold each pitted date in your hand and use your fingers or a small paring knife to find the natural seam where the pit was removed. Carefully pry it open along the seam, ensuring you don’t split the date completely in half. If the date is stuck together, work slowly to separate it.

Spoon ½ teaspoon of goat cheese into each date. Gently press the sides of the date together to partially close it around the filling, leaving some of the goat cheese visible.

Take a slice of the bacon and start at one end of the date, wrapping it snugly until fully covered. Secure the bacon in place by inserting a toothpick through the center of the date, making sure to pierce both ends of the bacon where they meet.

Roll each stuffed date in the brown sugar mixture, coating generously.

Place dates on a baking sheet, leaving 1” apart. Bake for 18 minutes, until bacon begins to get crispy.

Serve as is or drizzle with hot honey before serving.