CHEDDAR-BEER WEENIES

1 pkg (14-16 oz) beef cocktail wieners

12 - 16 slices bacon, cut crosswise into thirds

2 tbsp butter

1 cup finely chopped onion

2 cloves, garlic, minced

1 cup beer

1/2 16-oz jar cheddar pasta sauce or 1(10.75 oz) can cheddar cheese soup

1 tsp hot pepper sauce, such as Cholula brand

1/2 tsp chili powder

Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Line a 15x10-inch baking pan with foil or parchment. Tightly wrap each cocktail wiener in a piece of bacon, secure with a wooden toothpick. Place in the prepared pan and bake 30-35 minutes until bacon is browned and slightly crisp; cool slightly. Remove and discard toothpicks.

Meanwhile, for sauce, in a medium saucepan heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add onion and garlic, cook 5 to 8 minutes or until the onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in the remaining ingredients.

In a 1 1/2-quart slow cooker combine cocktail wieners and sauce. Cover and cook on low 4 to 5 hours or until heated. Serve immediately or keep warm, covered, on warm or low up to 2 hours.

Yield: 8 servings

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