Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Dates

I decided to combine two of the best "bacon-wrapped" foods I've had, bacon-wrapped dates (delicious delicious appetizer from Thanksgiving) and bacon-wrapped jalapeno thingies, into one hopefully superior bacon-wrapped appetizer.



You will need:

• dates, pitted
  
• jalapenos
• neufchatel (or cream) cheese
• shake cayenne pepper
  
• bacon (I use Niman Ranch)
  

1. preheat oven to 375
   
2. slice bacon strips in thirds
   
3. seed and finely dice jalapenos
4. stir jalapenos & cayenne in to cream cheese
   
   
   
   
5. slice open dates and fill with jalapeno cheese






6. wrap stuffed dates w/ bacon thirds and secure w/ a toothpick





7. pace dates on rack on large cookie sheet and cook 25-30 minutes or until bacon is crispy

Enjoy!

When I made this I used a 450 degree oven for 10 minutes and no rack; it resulted in the bottom of the dates caramelizing a little too much and really sticking in your teeth, that's why next time I'll totally go with the rack method.