Many people also call this Million Dollar Bacon recipe Millionaire Bacon. It’s my most popular recipe ever and a family favorite for brunch.
Ok, guys. Things are about to get weird around here. Your resident vegetarian is about to break down this Million Dollar Bacon recipe for you.
This is real life, and I live with meat-loving boys who are fine with me eating vegetables as long as they get a big serving of meat every once in a while.
These kids will love this recipe for candied bacon. I love it when they are excited to help out in the kitchen!
The Million Dollar Bacon (or Millionaire Bacon) recipe calls for thick-cut bacon, brown sugar, maple syrup, and a bunch of different peppers and spices. It’s a brunch hero!
Fans of the cult classic TV series Twin Peaks will fondly remember the iconic scene where FBI Agent Dale Cooper joyfully bites into a slice of heavenly “billionaire bacon” at the local diner. This candied bacon laden with brown sugar and cayenne pepper looked so mouthwateringly delicious that viewers were desperate to try it for themselves. Luckily, recreating the Twin Peaks version of candied bacon at home is easy with just a few simple ingredients and steps.
What Makes It Billionaire Bacon?
On the show, the Twin Peaks diner refers to their signature bacon dish as “billionaire bacon” While it’s not actually made from gold or anything extravagant, it earns the moniker thanks to its irresistibly rich, sweet and spicy flavor. The combination of brown sugar, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper creates a luxurious candied coating that transforms ordinary bacon into a indulgent treat fit for a billionaire. Fans agree that each scrumptious, crave-worthy bite tastes like a million bucks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Part of what makes this candied bacon recipe so easy to whip up at home is that it requires just a few simple ingredients
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Thick sliced bacon – Go for a good quality, thick-cut smoked bacon that will hold up well to the candying process.
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Brown sugar – This adds sweetness and helps the coating caramelize. Use about 1/4 to 1/3 cup.
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Cayenne pepper – Just a pinch adds a nice subtle heat. Adjust to your taste.
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Maple syrup – Adds flavor, sweetness and shine. Use 2-3 tablespoons.
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Black pepper – A sprinkle of cracked black pepper balances out the flavors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to candy your bacon Twin Peaks diner-style:
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet.
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In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cayenne pepper and black pepper.
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Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture liberally over both sides of the bacon, pressing lightly so it adheres.
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Bake for 18-25 minutes until crispy and caramelized, rotating the pan halfway through.
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When done, drizzle the maple syrup lightly over the bacon.
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Let cool slightly before serving for best texture.
Cooking Tips
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Watch closely near the end of baking to prevent burning.
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For best results, use real maple syrup, not artificial pancake syrup.
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Feel free to customize the spice level by adjusting the cayenne.
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For extra flavor, add spices like cinnamon, allspice or cumin.
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Fry the bacon in a skillet after candying for extra crispness.
Serving Suggestions
There are endless ways to enjoy your Twin Peaks-inspired billionaire bacon:
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Serve alongside eggs, hashbrowns and coffee for a quintessential Twin Peaks breakfast.
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Crumble on top of salads or baked potatoes for a crunchy, salty, sweet twist.
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Make BLT sandwiches with the bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo.
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Chop up and add to your favorite mac and cheese recipe.
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Skewer candied bacon and pineapple chunks for a sweet and salty party appetizer.
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Fold diced bacon into pancake or waffle batter before cooking.
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Sprinkle crumbled bacon over ice cream for an out-of-this-world dessert topping.
No matter how you serve it up, this candied bacon is sure to be a hit at your next watch party or Agent Cooper appreciation brunch. Just be prepared for some “damn fine” reactions when people take their first delicious, decadent bite.
The History of Twin Peaks Billionaire Bacon
The iconic scene where Special Agent Dale Cooper enjoys a slice of “billionaire bacon” at the local Twin Peaks diner comes in the very first episode of the series, which aired in 1990. Fans instantly became enamored with the idea of this scrumptious candied bacon treat.
The diner where the scene takes place is known as the Double R Diner and appears frequently throughout the show’s original two season run from 1990-1991. Owned by Norma Jennings, the cozy little diner serves as a hub for the quirky small town community, with its “billionaire bacon” being perhaps its most famous menu item.
When the series returned for a third season in 2017 after a 26 year hiatus, the Double R Diner and its signature candied bacon also made a comeback. This nostalgic blast from the past once again had fans craving the sweet, spicy and smoky bacon that Agent Cooper so enthusiastically endorsed decades earlier.
The dish has become so iconic and beloved among Twin Peaks enthusiasts that recipes for how to recreate it at home abound online. Fans want to experience the magic of biting into the heavenly billionaire bacon that Cooper so rapturously described as “so darn good” and making sounds of pure delight while devouring.
Final Thoughts
While you may not become an actual billionaire from whipping up this easy candied bacon recipe, just one taste is sure to make you feel like a million bucks. Sweet, spicy, smoky and crispy, this bacon truly earns the title of “billionaire” status. Any Twin Peaks fan is sure to flip for this decadent treat. So invite some friends over, brew a nice cup of damn fine coffee, and turn your kitchen into your own little slice of the Double R Diner.
Why Is It Called Millionaire Bacon?
There isn’t a clear answer to the question of where the name Millionaire Bacon comes from, since the recipe can be loved and made by anyone, not just rich people.
Maybe it’s because it tastes like a million bucks?! (At least that’s what the men in my life tell me and why they always ask for it.) ).
To sum it up, Million Dollar Bacon is sweet bacon with a hint of heat. It’s always a hit around here.
This recipe for candied bacon is great if you like it. It’s more than sweet enough to satisfy your sweet tooth with brown sugar and maple syrup.
We like to cook bacon in the oven anyway, so this is very easy to make. Every time we make it, everyone goes crazy for it.
How to Make Million Dollar Bacon
To make this epic candied bacon recipe that our family loves so much, you will need the following:
- Bacon: When making Million Dollar Bacon, thick-cut bacon works best because thinner cuts tend to burn.
- For this recipe, brown sugar is the star. It makes the bacon sweet and almost candied.
- Real, pure maple syrup adds extra sweetness and a beautiful depth of flavor.
- Pepper, cayenne—A little cayenne pepper adds a nice heat that goes well with the brown sugar.
- Black pepper—I like the bigger chunks of black pepper that come from fresh cracked pepper.
- Red pepper flakes—A big pinch of red pepper flakes finishes off the seasoning.
- Pieces of parchment paper—These can be used to clean up after cooking bacon.
- Baking sheet—I already said this, but since Millionaire Bacon is baked, you’ll need a big baking sheet.
- Cooling rack—After taking the bacon out of the oven, I like to put it on a cooling rack to let some of the sugar drain off. This makes it easier to eat.
