Kickin' Cranberry Jalapeño Poppers

Poppers are always a party favorite, as this terrific version will easily prove.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 pound fresh jalapeño peppers, sliced lengthwise and seeded
12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 (10-ounce) package Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries
8 ounces Ocean Spray® Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon salt
8 to 10 round buttery crackers, crushed
1 (14 to 16-ounce) package apple-maple bacon*, slices cut in half

Cooking Directions:

1. Grease a baking sheet with sides with olive oil. Place jalapeño halves on baking sheet.
2. Combine cream cheese, dried cranberries, cranberry sauce, garlic and salt in large bowl; mix well.
3. Spoon filling into jalapeño halves.
4. Top cream cheese mixture with crushed crackers.
5. Wrap half-slice bacon around each filled jalapeño half. Secure with toothpick, if desired.
6. Place baking sheet on grill. Cover grill; grill poppers until bacon is crispy.

Makes about 30 poppers.

*Or any smoked bacon.

Tip: Poppers can be baked in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until bacon is crispy.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.