Ingredients:
- 1 pound of bacon, cut into thirds
- 1 pound of Lil’ Smokies (small cocktail sausages)
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) of unsalted butter
- 2 cups of brown sugar (you’ll use 1 cup for the sauce and 1 cup for topping)
- Optional seasonings (such as ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, or garlic powder for a twist)
Detailed Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Set the oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature will allow the smokies to cook thoroughly while giving the bacon time to crisp up, but without overcooking the sugar.
2. Prepare the Bacon and Smokies:
- Cut the bacon into thirds (you’ll have three pieces per slice of bacon). This is the perfect size for wrapping each smokie.
- Wrap each smokie tightly with one third of a piece of bacon. Ensure that the bacon wraps securely around each sausage without overlapping too much. If you have small gaps, that’s okay—the bacon will shrink a bit while cooking.
- Arrange the wrapped smokies in a single layer in a baking dish (a 9×13-inch dish works great). The smokies should fit snugly, but don’t crowd them too much, as this can make the bacon cook unevenly.
3. Make the Sweet Glaze:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. This will help prevent the butter from separating or burning.
- Once the butter is fully melted, add 1 cup of brown sugar. Stir constantly to make sure the sugar dissolves completely into the butter. You want to avoid any granules of sugar, so keep stirring until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- If you’d like to add extra flavor at this point, you can mix in 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper for a little kick, or even a pinch of garlic powder to balance the sweetness with some savory notes. Stir well to incorporate.
4. Coat the Smokies:
- Pour the butter and brown sugar mixture evenly over the bacon-wrapped smokies in your baking dish. Try to drizzle it so that each smokie gets coated in the sticky glaze.
- After that, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of brown sugar evenly over the top of the smokies. This layer of sugar will caramelize as they bake and help create a crispy, sweet shell around each smokie.
5. Bake the Smokies:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven at 375°F and bake for 15-20 minutes. During this time, the bacon will begin to cook, and the sugar will melt into a syrup-like glaze.
- Keep an eye on the smokies during this time to make sure the sugar doesn’t burn, especially around the edges. You want the sugar to melt and bubble but not become too dark or scorched.
- After 15-20 minutes, the bacon will have started to cook through, but it won’t be crispy yet.
6. Crisp the Bacon:
- Turn the oven temperature up to 400°F. This will help the bacon become crispy and brown. Continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the bacon is golden and crispy, and the sugar has formed a bubbly caramelized crust around the smokies.
- Watch closely during this phase, as the caramelized sugar can burn quickly if left unattended.
7. Cool and Serve:
- Remove the smokies from the oven once the bacon is crispy and the sugar has turned golden brown and bubbly. Let them sit for a few minutes to cool slightly (but not too long—these are best served warm).
- Serve them immediately at your gathering, where they’ll disappear in no time!
Additional Tips for Perfect Bacon-Wrapped Smokies:
- Bacon Tips: Use thick-cut bacon for the best results. It holds up well during baking and crisps better than regular sliced bacon. If you’re in a rush, thin-sliced bacon will work, but it may crisp up a bit faster.
- Prepare Ahead: If you’re prepping these for a party or gathering, you can assemble them ahead of time. Just wrap the smokies, place them in the baking dish, and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. When you’re ready to bake, just pour on the brown sugar butter mixture and proceed with the baking instructions. If refrigerated, you may need to bake for an extra 5 minutes to compensate for the cold starting temperature.
- Slow Cooker Option: If you’re looking for a hands-off method, use a slow cooker instead of the oven. After wrapping the smokies and placing them in the slow cooker, pour the butter and brown sugar mixture over them. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. The bacon won’t get quite as crispy in the slow cooker, but the flavors will still be deliciously melded together.
- Serving Ideas: These smokies make a great appetizer for game day, parties, or family gatherings. You can also serve them as a fun snack during movie night or a potluck. For an even more impressive spread, pair them with BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or sriracha for dipping.
Enjoy making this sweet, savory, and irresistible treat! Bacon Wrapped Smokies with Brown Sugar and Butter are always a crowd favorite.