Are deviled eggs a southern thing? Having grown up in Oklahoma, they were–and are–pretty much a thing any time there was a cook-out, family get-together, Easter, or just for a side with a light summer meal. No one in my family ever used a recipe. We just added this or that, tasted, added more of whatever until it tasted just right. And then a certain billionaire shoved this recipe across the table to me and informed me that I needed to step up my game. Challenge accepted!

Total Time: 35 Min.
Prep Time: 15 Min.
Cook Time: 20 Min. (approximate time for hard-boiled eggs)
24 servings

Don’t forget to reserve some of those deliciously smoky bacon crumbles and finely chopped green onions to garnish these yummy Bacon-Cheddar Deviled Eggs.

What You Need
5 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cooked, crumbled and divided
1 green onion, finely chopped, divided
1 doz. hard-cooked eggs
1/2 cup KRAFT Real Mayo
1/2 cup KRAFT Finely Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Let’s Make It
1 – Reserve 1 Tbsp. each bacon and onions. Cut eggs lengthwise in half. Remove yolks; place in medium bowl.
2 – Add mayo; beat with mixer until blended. Add cheese and remaining bacon and onions; mix well.
3 – Spoon or pipe egg yolk mixture into centers of egg whites. Sprinkle with reserved bacon and onions.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Substitute: Substitute MIRACLE WHIP Dressing for the mayo.

Tip 2 – Substitute: Substitute 1 finely chopped jalapeno pepper for the green onion.

My Tip – I’m all about the Miracle Whip, just sayin’… Also, the time  on the recipe assumed you just had a dozen hard-boiled eggs in the fridge. It takes me about 20 minutes to cook the egges–eggs covered by water in pan, bring water to a rollingboil, coveri the pan, and turn off heat. Let sit for 12 minutes. Easy peasy.

Get all the nutritional details over at My Food and Family. My other comment is wait! 24 servings? Who only eats 1 deviled egg? That’s…half an egg. I mean…seriously? Which is exactly the way the Tates and Barrons feel. Tucker claims he created this recipe all by himself. Yeah. Right. 🙄 That said, I do know that Miz Katherine taught all her boys how to cook since she despaired that any of them would ever settle down and marry. I have to admit that writing Tucker and Zoe’s story was a blast. Seriously, pregnant runaway bride who wants to be a country singer, billionaire record producer (whose brother IS a country mega star) white knight, zany road trip in a Winnebago? What’s not to love?!?! If you haven’t already, you should grab BILLIONAIRE COUNTRY. It’s available in both digital and paperback from all sorts of places. Just click on the title or one of the pics to head over the Harlequin. You can buy it direct from them (I make a bit more royalty) or find the link to your preferred on-line retailer. Just remember Tucker’s Rule # 1: Never mix business with pleausre…unless your business is cooking up a batch of these devilish good eggs! So what about y’all? Are they a southern thing? Do you make them, and of so, do you use a recipe?

Psst. This is also one of my favorite covers. Ever!