Description
These addictively delicious Spiced Bacon Twists are chewy, crunchy and both sweet and savory. Salty, smoky bacon is dredged in a sweet and spicy brown sugar mixture and then baked until crispy. The resulting bacon has the most wonderful caramel taste, with a bit of zing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 pound sliced bacon – see Note below
- Around 16 (12-inch) wooden skewers – you’ll need the same number as slices of bacon
Instructions
- Arrange oven racks in the middle and bottom positions of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line the bottom of a broiler pan or large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place broiler rack or metal cooling rack over foil-lined pan. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard, cinnamon, nutmeg and cayenne, blending with a fork until evenly blended. Transfer mixture to a large sheet of wax paper. Dip bacon strips into sugar mixture to coat evenly.
- Poke a skewer through each end of a coated bacon strip. Twist strip several times around the skewer to make a tight spiral. Place bacon on prepared rack. Repeat with remaining bacon strips and skewers.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until bacon is almost crisp and sugar is bubbly — it may take 45 minutes depending on the oven and thickness of your bacon. Watch carefully so they don’t burn.
- Transfer strips to clean aluminum foil or parchment paper (don’t use a paper towel — they will stick!) just until cool to the touch, around 4 to 5 minutes. Gently remove skewers and serve.
Notes
Make ahead: May be prepared a day or two ahead of baking and refrigerated. Or bake, refrigerate and reheat in microwave or low (250 degree) oven.
Note on bacon: I prefer to use thick cut bacon, but have made it also with thinner. Watch the latter carefully as it can burn more easily. I also like to use peppered bacon for another layer of flavor.