This Maple and Black Pepper Bacon recipe is a house favorite, without a doubt. This always makes an appearance at the holidays and gets gobbled up very fast. The combination of bacon with maple and brown sugar is great, but add a little kick from freshly ground black pepper, and you've got something really special on your hands (and in your belly!).
2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper or foil
Ingredients
1lbthick-cut bacon
½cuppure maple syrup
2tablespoonlight brown sugar
Freshly ground black pepperto taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper (or foil, or use a rack).
Place the bacon in an even row on the baking pans.
1 lb thick-cut bacon
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. (Bacon won't be fully cooked, yet).
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup with the brown sugar. Continue whisking until the sugar has dissolved.
½ cup pure maple syrup, 2 tablespoon light brown sugar
Remove the pans from the oven and place the partially cooked bacon on 2 new sheets of parchment. Discard the used parchment and place the new back on the baking sheets.
Brush the sugar syrup all over the bacon strips (both sides) and then sprinkle pepper all over (both sides).
Freshly ground black pepper
Return to the oven for another 20 minutes, until darkened and fully cooked.
Serve at once, or keep warm in a 225°F oven.
Video
Notes
See the video near the top of the blog post for visual guidance. If you liked the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. Keep an eye on the bacon as it bakes. The thicker the bacon, the longer it will take to bake. It's important to let the bacon rest on a rack after it comes out of the oven. It will harden somewhat as it cools off a little. Leftover bacon will keep covered in a container for 3 to 4 days, but will lose its crispiness.