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Cozy Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies

brown sugar bourbon bacon-wrapped little smokies - featured image
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Sweet, savory, and irresistibly sticky bacon-wrapped little smokies glazed with brown sugar and bourbon. Perfect for game day, parties, or any gathering where you want to impress without stress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 14 oz package little smokies (beef or pork)
  • 1 lb thin-cut bacon
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 20–25 toothpicks, soaked in water for 10 minutes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Place a wire rack on top if available.
  2. Soak toothpicks in water for at least 10 minutes to prevent burning.
  3. Cut each bacon strip crosswise into two pieces (about 3-4 inches long).
  4. Wrap each little smokie with a half-strip of bacon, overlapping ends slightly. Secure with a soaked toothpick.
  5. Arrange wrapped smokies on the prepared baking sheet or wire rack, about 1 inch apart.
  6. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, melted butter, bourbon, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth.
  7. Brush the glaze generously over each wrapped smokie.
  8. Bake for 10 minutes. Flip each smokie using tongs, then brush with any remaining glaze from the pan.
  9. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, until bacon is crispy and glaze is bubbly and caramelized. For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully.
  10. Let rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to allow glaze to set.
  11. Remove toothpicks before serving, or leave them in for easy grabbing (warn guests). Transfer to a platter and serve warm.

Notes

Soak toothpicks in water for at least 10 minutes to prevent burning. Use thin-cut bacon for best results; thick-cut may need par-cooking. Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure even crisping. For extra glaze, double the glaze recipe and brush some on after baking. Can be prepped up to 24 hours ahead: wrap smokies in bacon, refrigerate, and add glaze just before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: bacon wrapped smokies, brown sugar bourbon, game day appetizer, party appetizer, little smokies, bacon wrapped sausages, sweet and savory appetizer

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/cozy-brown-sugar-bourbon-bacon-wrapped-little-smokies/