Ingredients:

  • 12 strips thick-cut bacon, halved crosswise (approx. 450g)
  • 8 oz (225g) extra-sharp white cheddar cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 24 toothpicks, soaked in water for 10 minutes
  • 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp (2g) freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) cayenne pepper
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) pure maple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne, and maple syrup until it forms a thick paste. Press one side of each bacon half into the sugar mixture until it adheres.
  2. Place a cube of cheddar at one end of a bacon strip with the sugar side facing out. Roll the bacon tightly around the cheese and secure it with a soaked toothpick, ensuring the seam is on the bottom.
  3. Arrange the bites on the wire rack, leaving 1 inch of space between each. Bake for 18–22 minutes until the bacon turns a deep mahogany brown and the edges look crisp and lacy.
  4. Remove from the oven and let rest on the rack for 5 minutes. This allows the sugar glaze to harden into a shellac and the cheese to firm up slightly before serving.