Step 1

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

Step 2

In a small bowl combine the cream cheese, cheese, garlic powder and diced jalapenos. If using bacon, you can crumble that up and add it here into the jalapeno-cheese stuffing OR leave it whole and pot on top of the burger.

Step 3

Shape ground beef into eight 3-oz. portions on waxed paper. A kitchen scale comes in handy for this.

Step 4

Press each portion into a 4-inch patty using the back of a table fork. Take 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture and place it into the middle of a patty. Repeat with three more patties. Then, with the back of the fork, press the mixture flat into a disc in the center of the patty. Repeat with the other 3 patties.

Step 5

Cover each filled patty with one of the remaining patties. With a fork, crimp the edges of the patties to trap all that melty goodness inside the burgers.

Step 6

Season the outsides of the patties with salt and ground pepper to taste and then head to the grill.

Step 7

Grill burgers over medium heat for 6-7 minutes on each side or until cooked to your desired temperature. [See Note 3]