Ingredients:

• • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2tablespoons maple syrup
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound thick-cut bacon
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Mix brown sugar, rice vinegar, maple syrup, pecans, and black pepper in a small bowl.
3. Place bacon slices on cooling rack set over a baking sheet.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, turn slices, and bake another 5 minutes.
5. Remove bacon and brush both sides with brown sugar mixture. Return bacon to the oven and bake another 5 minutes. Repeat basting every 5 minutes until bacon is browned and crisp, about 35 minutes.