Description
Decadent Sweet and Spicy Glazed Billionaire Bacon combines thick-cut bacon with a rich blend of brown sugar, spices, honey, and maple syrup to create a crispy, caramelized treat with a perfect balance of sweetness and heat. Finished with freshly cracked black pepper and optional rosemary, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser for breakfast, brunch, or as a savory snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Bacon
- 12 slices thick-cut bacon strips
Spice Mixture
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Glaze
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the bacon.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil to catch drippings and place a wire rack on top to allow even cooking and crisping.
- Arrange Bacon: Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on the wire rack, leaving space between each slice to ensure they cook evenly.
- Mix Spices: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and black pepper thoroughly.
- Coat Bacon with Spice Mixture: Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over both sides of each bacon strip for balanced flavor.
- Prepare Glaze: Warm honey and maple syrup gently on low heat in a small saucepan until smooth and well blended, then remove from heat.
- Glaze Bacon: Use a pastry brush to coat each bacon strip with the honey-maple glaze on both sides for a shiny, flavorful finish.
- Add Black Pepper: Sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper over the glazed bacon to enhance spiciness.
- Add Rosemary (Optional): Sprinkle chopped fresh rosemary over the bacon for an aromatic herbal note.
- Bake Bacon: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the bacon is crisp, caramelized, and slightly sticky, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Rest Bacon: Remove the bacon from the oven and let it cool on the wire rack for a few minutes to firm up and maintain crispness.
- Serve: Serve the decadent sweet and spicy glazed billionaire bacon warm or at room temperature as a deliciously indulgent treat.
Notes
- Keep a close eye on the bacon towards the end of baking to prevent burning due to the sugar content.
- Using a wire rack allows excess fat to drain away and helps the bacon crisp up evenly.
- The optional rosemary adds a fragrant herbal complexity that complements the sweet and spicy flavors.
- This bacon pairs well with breakfast dishes, sandwiches, or can be served as an appetizer.
- For a less spicy version, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
