Texas Twinkies

Name: Texas Twinkies
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 16 appetizers
Cuisine: North America, Southwest
Ingredients: 10 bacon strips, halved widthwise; 16 jalapeno peppers; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1 cup shredded or chopped smoked beef brisket; 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese; 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt; 1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Total Time Prep: 25 min. Bake: 40 min.

Yield 16 appetizers

Test Kitchen Approved

If you're a fan of jalapeno poppers, you're going to have to try these brisket-filled Texas Twinkies.

Ingredients

10 bacon strips, halved widthwise
16 jalapeno peppers
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded or chopped smoked beef brisket
1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Directions

In a small skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until partially cooked but not crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain; keep warm.
Cut a lengthwise slit in each pepper, exposing the center, but not cutting all the way through. Make a crosswise slit just below the stem, leaving the stem intact. Use a small spoon to remove seeds and membranes.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in brisket, pepper jack cheese and salt. Spoon into peppers. Wrap a bacon piece around each pepper; secure with a toothpick.
Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake until peppers are tender and bacon is cooked through, 30-35 minutes. Brush with barbecue sauce. Broil 4 in. from the heat until bacon is crispy, 2-3 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

1 stuffed pepper: 125 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 312mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein.

Everyone will be happy when these classic stuffed peppers show up at your next party. The combination of salty bacon, creamy cheese and heat from the pepper makes them irresistible. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

Recipe Creator