Texas Twinkies

Ingredients:

• 12 medium jalapeño peppers
• 12 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ pounds cooked chopped brisket
• 12 slices thick-cut bacon
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
• ½ (12 ounce) bottle BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
2. Slice the jalapeños in the shape of a "T": Cut a straight vertical line from top to bottom with a crosscut directly under the stem, making sure to cut only halfway through the jalapeños. Use a spoon to remove and discard all seeds and membranes. Place the jalapeños on a baking sheet.
3. Bake the jalapeños in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
4. Transfer the jalapeños to a bowl of ice water for a few minutes to extract the rest of the seeds' oil. Blot dry with a paper towel.
5. Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
6. Spread 1 tablespoon of cream cheese inside each jalapeño.
7. Place about 2 ounces of brisket inside each jalapeño, then wrap with a slice of bacon.
8. Place the jalapeño poppers on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
9. Bake the jalapeño poppers in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
10. Remove the jalapeño poppers from the oven and brush the tops with BBQ sauce.
11. Return the jalapeño poppers to the oven and bake for 5 more minutes.

Tips:

• If you want your jalapeño poppers to be spicier, leave some of the seeds and membranes in.
• You can also add other ingredients to your jalapeño poppers, such as shredded cheese, chopped onions, or diced tomatoes.
• Serve your jalapeño poppers with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or sour cream.
• Enjoy!