1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet

Start by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C). This lower temperature ensures the bacon cooks slowly and evenly, allowing the sugar to melt without burning. The low heat also helps the bacon crisp up perfectly, giving the crackers the right amount of crunch.

While the oven is heating up, line a baking sheet with foil to catch any drips from the bacon. This will make cleanup much easier. On top of the foil, place a wire cooling rack. The cooling rack elevates the crackers, allowing air to circulate around them while they bake. This helps keep the crackers crispy rather than soggy, ensuring the perfect texture for every bite.

2. Arrange the Crackers

Take the Club crackers and arrange them in a single layer on the wire rack. It’s important to make sure the crackers are laid out evenly so that each one gets a piece of bacon and a sprinkle of sugar. If the crackers are too crowded, they won’t bake as evenly, and you might end up with some crackers that are soggy or unevenly coated. Spread the crackers out so that each one has plenty of room to bake and crisp up.

3. Top with Bacon and Sugar

Cut the bacon into thirds so that each piece will fit nicely on top of the crackers. Lay one piece of bacon on each cracker. The bacon will shrink a little as it cooks, so don’t worry if the bacon seems to be a bit too large for the crackers initially. Once the bacon is in place, sprinkle about a teaspoon of brown sugar on top of each piece. The sugar will melt and form a caramelized coating as it bakes, giving the crackers their signature sweetness.

4. Add a Pinch of Spices

Next, sprinkle a pinch of cayenne pepper over each cracker. The cayenne pepper adds a touch of heat that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the brown sugar and the saltiness of the bacon. The amount of cayenne can be adjusted to suit your preferences. If you like a little extra spice, feel free to add more. On the other hand, if you prefer a milder flavor, use just a small pinch or skip it entirely. After adding the cayenne, sprinkle a pinch of black pepper on each cracker. The black pepper enhances the savory elements of the dish and helps balance the sweetness from the sugar.

5. Bake to Perfection

Now, place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and let the Bacon Crackers bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, especially towards the end of the cooking time. The bacon should be crisp and golden brown, and the sugar should have melted into a glossy, caramelized coating. The exact baking time will depend on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you want the bacon to be. If you prefer a chewier bacon, you can take the crackers out a little sooner, but for a crispier texture, allow them to bake for the full 40 minutes.

As the Bacon Crackers bake, your kitchen will begin to smell incredible. The combination of sizzling bacon and melting sugar creates an aroma that will have everyone eagerly awaiting the finished product. The sugar will start to bubble and turn golden, and the bacon will become beautifully crisp, signaling that the crackers are almost ready to come out of the oven.

6. Cool and Harden

Once the Bacon Crackers have reached the perfect level of crispness, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the crackers cool completely on the wire rack. This cooling process is essential, as it allows the sugar to harden and set. If you try to eat them before they cool, the sugar may be too sticky, and the texture won’t be as enjoyable. Once the Bacon Crackers have cooled, they will have a satisfying crunch and a glossy, caramelized coating that’s absolutely irresistible.