Pimento Goat Cheese Jalapeño Poppers with Pepper Jelly Glaze

Here at Hostess Provisions, we LOVE party food, bar snacks, and pretty much any bite sized nibble that can be enjoyed while standing with a cocktail in one hand and a snack in the other.  After all, calories do not count when you are eating standing up

For this recipe, we were inspired by our love of the combination of Pimento Cheese and Pepper Jelly, it’s a little sweet, a little spicy, a little creamy cheese and oh so good.  Our pimento cheese and pepper jelly tarts were always a top hit at parties we catered, guests on occasion sneaking into the kitchen to see if they might be able to snatch one last tart right as they came out of the oven.  So here we bring this signature flavor profile to the Jalapeno Popper. These party food classics are always a crowd pleaser, and great to serve at a casual tailgate or BBQ or all dressed up for a cocktail party.  Make entertaining easy by assembling them ahead of time and then pop them in the oven when your guests arrive.

Pimento Goat Cheese Jalapeño Poppers with Pepper Jelly Glaze

 

Makes 8 Poppers

4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature

2 ounces goat cheese, softened to room temperature

2 teaspoon Pimento Cheese Seasoning

4 jalapeno peppers

4 slices thick cut bacon

2 tbsp pepper jelly

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

 Mix together cream cheese, goat cheese and Pimento Cheese seasoning until thoroughly combined. 

 Place the bacon on a sheet pan lightly coated with non-stick spray and place in the oven.  Bake for 8 minutes, until bacon just begins to brown but is still limp and malleable. Remove from oven, and drain bacon on paper towels.  

 While the bacon is cooking, prep the jalapeños. Slice them in half, lengthwise and  clean the inside by removing the seeds and veins.  Stuff the peppers with the Pimento, goat cheese and cream cheese mixture and then wrap them with half a slice of bacon and secure the bacon in the back with a toothpick.  

 Place pepper jelly in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave for 30 – 45 seconds until the jelly loosens.  Brush the pepper jelly glaze on the jalapeño poppers.  

 Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees and bake for 15 minutes or until the bacon is brown and crisp. 

Pimento Goat Cheese Jalapeño Poppers with Pepper Jelly Glaze