Spiced Apple Cider with Candied Bacon

Ingredients

4–6 cups (1–1 1/2 L) apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
8 slices bacon
1/4 cup (60 ml) packed brown sugar
2 tbsp (30 ml) maple syrup
freshly ground black pepper or chili powder

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Bring the cider to a simmer on the stovetop with the cinnamon sticks.

Lay the raw bacon strips on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil or parchment. Bake for 10 minutes, until partially cooked. Sprinkle with brown sugar, drizzle with maple syrup and sprinkle with pepper or chili powder.

Bake for another 5–10 minutes, until golden. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to cool slightly (they’ll firm up as they cool) before serving with the warm cider. Serves 4.

Per serving

278 calories, 6.1 g fat (2.2 g saturated fat, 3 g monounsaturated fat, 0.8 g polyunsaturated fat), 48.5 g carbohydrate, 17 mg cholesterol, 6.2 g protein, 0.5 g fibre.

Originally published in ParentsCanada magazine, Feb/Mar 2015.