Ingredients

1lbbacon,(12 strips), not thick cut

¼cuplight brown sugar

½tspfreshly ground black pepper,optional

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F with one rack in the top third and another rack in the bottom third of the oven. Line two baking sheets with foil, and place an oven-safe wire rack on each.

Layout the bacon strips perpendicular to the lines on the wire rack, divided between the two pans, and making sure they don’t overlap.

Sprinkle the bacon strips with brown sugar and (optionally) add some freshly ground black pepper.

Bake the bacon in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Rotate the pans once during baking to ensure the bacon is cooking evenly.

Start checking the bacon around 18 minutes, as some slices will cook faster, depending on the fat content and thickness of the slices.

The bacon is done when the brown sugar is melted and the bacon is a deep brown color. Remember that the bacon will continue to crisp up as it cools, so don’t worry if it’s not completely crispy now.

Let the bacon cool right on the wire rack for a few minutes. The bacon will crisp up as it cools and as the melted sugar hardens. Then serve!

Candied bacon can be kept in the fridge for a few days and reheats well in a skillet over low heat.

Freezing is not recommended, but if making a huge batch, make sure to freeze the strips individually so they didn’t stick together.