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Tasty Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies blend sweet, smoky, and savory tastes into mouthwatering bite-sized party treats. These tempting morsels feature juicy cocktail sausages wrapped in crispy bacon coated with melted brown sugar, making an appetizer that guests grab faster than you can cook them.
The first time I served these at a Super Bowl get-together, they were gone in seconds. I've learned to always cook twice as much because everyone crowds around waiting for them to cool just enough to snatch.
Key Ingredients
- Little Smokies: go for premium cocktail sausages for the tastiest results
- Bacon: standard thickness works better than thicker cuts
- Brown sugar: either light or dark varieties work great
- Toothpicks: wooden ones are best for holding everything together
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
- Step 1:
- Slice bacon strips into thirds. They should wrap around each Little Smokie with just a bit of overlap. Too much extra bacon creates soft spots instead of crispiness.
- Step 2:
- Use a toothpick to hold each wrapped Smokie together, making sure to grab both bacon ends. Put them seam-down on your lined baking tray.
- Step 3:
- Add plenty of brown sugar over each piece. As it melts, it'll form a sweet coating that goes perfectly with the salty bacon.
- Step 4:
- Cook at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway. Keep an eye on them toward the end since the sugar can burn quickly after caramelizing.
- Step 5:
- Let them sit for 5 minutes before moving to a serving dish. This gives the sugar time to firm up a bit.
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My mother-in-law showed me a trick of gently pushing the brown sugar onto each piece before cooking. This simple move helps the sugar stick and caramelize beautifully.
Watch Your Heat
Stick to 350°F consistently - hotter temps burn the sugar, cooler temps leave the bacon soft and chewy.
Prep Them Early
You can wrap and sugar the smokies up to 24 hours ahead. Just cover, chill, and bake right before you need them.
Crowd-Pleasing Advice
Cook in smaller groups for big parties. Hot, fresh batches will keep everyone coming back for more.
Tasty Twists
Toss in some cayenne for a spicy kick or add a bit of black pepper for extra zing.
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These little flavor bombs have become my go-to party snack. They strike that perfect balance between sweet and savory, and they always wow my guests while being surprisingly easy to whip up.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What's the secret to crispy bacon?
- Pop them under the broiler for a few extra minutes at the end.
- → Can I prepare these early?
- Wrap them in bacon, refrigerate, and sprinkle sugar before baking.
- → Why dry the sausages?
- It makes bacon stick well and helps everything brown evenly.
- → Can I use thicker bacon?
- Thinner bacon wraps better and cooks faster, so stick to that.
- → Do I need toothpicks?
- Yep, they keep the bacon in place during cooking.