Active Time

　　10 min

　　Total Time

　　1 hr

　　"I'm hot-rodding bacon here," said food editor Melissa Roberts, "making it extra-special with a fragrant hit of pepper over a sweet glaze." Rendering the bacon before it's brushed with maple syrup and finished in the oven results in strips with a spectacular crunch.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 8 servings

　　

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°F with racks in upper and lower thirds.

　　

Step 2

Arrange bacon slices in 1 layer (not overlapping) on racks of 2 large broiler pans (if you only have one, use a large rectangular metal rack set inside a large baking pan for the second). Bake until fat is rendered but bacon isn't crisp, about 20 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

　　

Step 3

Arrange all of bacon in 1 layer on rack of 1 broiler pan. Brush top with syrup and sprinkle with pepper. Bake until bacon is crisp and deep golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, glazed side up, on paper towels.

　　Cook's note:

　　Bacon can be kept warm in a 250°F oven up to 1 hour.