Description
Crispy butter crackers topped with caramelized bacon for the perfect sweet-savory bite. These irresistible treats combine the crunch of crackers with candied bacon’s sticky sweetness and a subtle hint of spice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package rectangular butter crackers
- 8–10 slices bacon
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- A pinch cayenne pepper
- A pinch freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is perfect for rendering the fat in the bacon while allowing the brown sugar to caramelize without burning.
- Prepare the Baking Sheet
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to catch any drippings. Place a wire rack on top of the lined baking sheet. The wire rack elevates the crackers, allowing air to circulate and the bacon to crisp evenly.
- Arrange the Crackers
- Place the butter crackers on the wire rack, leaving some space between each one to ensure even cooking and to prevent them from sticking together as the sugar melts.
- Prepare the Bacon
- Slice the bacon into thirds or fourths, depending on the size of your crackers. The bacon pieces should fit lengthwise on each cracker without hanging over too much. Place one piece of bacon on top of each cracker.
- Add the Sweet and Spicy Topping
- Sprinkle approximately 1 heaping teaspoon of brown sugar on top of each bacon-topped cracker. The sugar will melt and create a delicious caramelized coating. Follow with a light dusting of cayenne and black pepper to add a subtle heat that balances the sweetness.
- Bake to Perfection
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the brown sugar has melted and the bacon becomes crisp. Keep an eye on them toward the end to prevent burning, as the sugar can caramelize quickly.
- Cool and Serve
- Remove from the oven and allow the crackers to cool completely on the wire rack. As they cool, the caramelized sugar will harden, creating a delicious candied coating. Once cooled and hardened, they’re ready to serve!
Notes
- For best results, use center-cut bacon which tends to have a good meat-to-fat ratio.
- If you prefer a spicier version, increase the amount of cayenne pepper.
- These can be made a few hours ahead of time, but are best enjoyed the same day as they may lose their crispness if stored overnight.
- Try variations with maple sugar instead of brown sugar, or add a sprinkle of chopped rosemary or thyme before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 crackers
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg