Caramelized Bacon
Author: 
Recipe type: Appetizer
Prep: 
Cook: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8
 
Sweet and salty meet in plain, unadorned glory.
Ingredients
  • ½ cup lightly packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup pecans
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • ⅛ tsp ground cayenne pepper
  • 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
  • ½ lb thick-cut applewood-smoked bacon (I found a good packaged one at Wal-Mart, but any deli should have it)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line large sheet pan with aluminum foil and put a wire baking rack (or wire cooling rack) on top of the foil. Set aside.
  2. Combine brown sugar and pecans in small food processor and process until pecans are finely ground. Add salt and peppers and pulse a couple times to mix. Add the maple syrup and pulse again until mixture is evenly moist.
  3. Cut each bacon slice crosswise into halves or quarters, depending how long your bacon is. Line up the pieces on the wire baking rack, making sure the pieces aren't touching. With a small spoon (or your fingers), evenly spread the brown sugar mixture on all the pieces of bacon.
  4. Bake for 30-33 minutes, until the topping is VERY browned, but not burnt (if you underbake it, the bacon will stay soft as it cools).
  5. While it's hot, use tongs or a fork to transfer caramelized bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain grease. Set aside to cool. Serve at room temperature.
  6. Store any leftovers (haha :)) in the fridge.
Recipe by Hidden Ponies at https://hiddenponies.com/2013/04/caramelized-bacon/