Honey Bacon-Wrapped Dates

 Ingredients:

• 2 oz. cream cheese, softened

• 1 Tbsp. thinly sliced chives, plus more for garnish

• ¼ tsp. paprika

• 20 medjool dates, pitted (12 oz. package)

• 10 slices bacon (thin cut), halved crosswise

• 2 jalapeños, cut into 20 thin slices

• 2 Tbsp. honey

• Toothpicks

Directions:

• Preheat oven with 29 briquettes (19 on top, 10 on bottom) for 12” oven

• Stir together cream cheese, chives, and paprika in a small bowl

• Cut dates in half, enough so they can be opened like a book but not cut all the way through

• Stuff each date with the filling and fold closed

• Wrap each date with a bacon piece. Top with a jalapeno slide and secure with a toothpick

• Bake dates until bacon is beginning to crisp

• Remove from oven and drizzle the hot dates with honey. Sprinkle extra chives on top

Note: Tastes best when served hot!