Without a doubt these are the tackiest, most horrifyingly ridiculous appetizers I could ever imagine. Until you eat them.
Everyone has pretty much the same reaction. Snickering at your bad taste. Then smelling the heavenly aroma of bacon and brown sugar. Then trying one. And finally being reduced to smacking their friends over who gets the last one.
The recipe is a classic, hailing (no doubt) from the era of aspic and cheeseballs. It’s childishly easy (one could drink several martinis while making them) and a crowd pleaser. So without further ado…
Bacon Wrapped Weenies
1 lb (or so) of cocktail weenies (Little Smokies are the best, but other types will work)
1 lb (or so) brown sugar
1 lb bacon
Toothpicks
Butter a casserole dish.
Preheat over to 325 degrees. Cut the bacon into thirds. Wrap each weenie with a slice of the cut bacon and secure with a toothpick. Pack the weenies into the casserole tightly. One layer only.
Cover the whole mess with brown sugar. The sugar should cover the weenies.
Place in the oven. Total cooking time is about 45 minutes, but check it from time to time, basting the sugar mixture over the weenies. When done, the bacon should be crisp and the sugar completely melted.
DON’T EAT DIRECTLY FROM THE OVEN. You’ll be tempted, but hot sugar and bacon fat isn’t something to mess with. Let cool for at least 10 minutes. For service, its not a bad idea to stir the mixture to make sure each weenie is covered with the caramelized sugar and bacon fat.