Millionaire Bacon

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As if bacon wasn't good enough, you can turn it into a smoky-sweet treat you won't be able to resist with this rich recipe.

Millionaire Bacon
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Active Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
2

I first tried Millionare Bacon at a local brunch spot and loved the slightly-spicy, super-sticky bacon. I left with that taste in my mouth and questions: What is the origin of Millionaire Bacon? Will you feel like a millionaire when you eat it? Why does it cost several dollars a slice in restaurants?

As with many recipes, the Millionaire Bacon's origins are a mystery. It’s probably closest to bacon candy or candied bacon. The key difference is that hint of spice from the cayenne pepper. Whether you imagine yourself on a yacht eating luxurious Millionaire Bacon, or use it for a fancy Sunday brunch, you’ll remember the sweet and spicy taste long after the meal is over. 

Millionaire Bacon is a great addition to breakfast as a side, but it also substitutes easily for bacon on a hamburger, in a classic BLT, diced into a quiche lorraine, on top of caramelized Brussels sprouts, bacon pancakescrumbled over a salad, or one of our 26 favorite bacon recipes

You don’t have to eat Millionaire Bacon with your pinky up, but you’ll definitely want to lick your fingers. 

How Long Does Millionaire Bacon Keep? 

While we can’t guarantee you'll find a million dollars when you eat this dish, we can guarantee this bacon can be made ahead of time and stay in the fridge up to 5 days. Freeze it for up to a month. Microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, or let come to room temp and add to a sandwich like you would any other pre-cooked bacon.

What To Do With the Rest of the Bacon

If you only want to make a few slices out of a bacon package into Millionare Bacon, simply bake the remainder of the bacon on its own sheet pan.

Bacon Business

This recipe calls for 4 to 8 slices of bacon, but the sugary toppings are enough for a full serving of 8 slices. If you want fewer slices for your meal, halve the sugar toppings. But be warned: This candied bacon is rich. One slice may be more than enough!

Ingredients

  • 4-8 slices bacon 

  • 1/2, plus 1/3 cup brown sugar, divided

  • 1/3 cup maple syrup

  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper

  • 1 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, divided

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.

    baking sheet lined with aluminum foil

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

    Quick Cleanup

    Actual millionaires may not have to line their sheet pans, but the rest of us will need to. Brown sugar, maple syrup, and bacon grease make a natural mess. Using foil equals easier cleanup.

  2. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup brown sugar, maple syrup, black pepper, and 1 tsp. cayenne pepper. The mixture will be wet and a little sandy.

    brown sugar and maple syrup mixture in a bowl

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

  3. Place bacon slices on foil-lined baking sheet. Leave space between each slice to allow them to cook evenly.

    four slices of bacon on a baking sheet

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Cook the bacon for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove the baking sheet from the oven.

    partially cooked bacon on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Spoon brown sugar mixture over each piece of bacon, and return sheet pan to oven. Bake 10 minutes.

    partially cooked bacon with glaze on top

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

  4. While the bacon cooks, mix together the remaining brown sugar and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.

    brown sugar and cayenne pepper mixed in a small bowl

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

    Remove the bacon from the oven, and sprinkle the additional brown sugar mixture on top of the bacon slices. Return the bacon to the oven and cook an additional 5 minutes, or until the bacon looks cooked and crisp, not limp. Sugar will burn quickly, so watch the bacon closely to get it cooked properly.

    bacon slices with brown sugar sprinkled on top

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

    Note: You do not need to flip the bacon slices as they cook; the mixture will spread and coat both sides.

    Remove pan from oven, and let bacon cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. With tongs or a fork, move bacon from pan to a plate.

    millionaire bacon on pan

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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