Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and top with a piece of parchment paper.

Step 2

Arrange the bacon strips on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Step 3

While bacon is cooking, whisk together the brown sugar, maple syrup, black pepper and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Reserve.

Step 4

Remove bacon from the oven, blot excess grease with paper towels, and brush the slices generously with the glaze. Return to the oven and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven, turn the strips over and blot with paper towels. Apply the rest of the glaze to the bacon strips and return to the oven. Continue cooking until bacon is golden brown and crispy, about 8 to 10 more minutes. (Your cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the bacon, so watch carefully.)

Step 5

Remove the pan and do not turn off the oven. Cool the bacon on the pan for 5 minutes. Blot excess grease with paper towels and transfer to a fresh piece of parchment paper to cool. Discard the foil and parchment paper from the pan and line with a fresh piece of parchment.

Step 6

Using a sharp knife, cut off the top rind of brie cheese. (It doesn’t have to be perfect, but try to remove most of the upper rind so the bacon topping can soak in.)

Step 7

Place the Brie cheese on the prepared baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake until the cheese is soft and just starting to melt, about 10 minutes.

Step 8

Crumble or chop the candied bacon in small pieces. Remove the cheese from the oven, cool for 3 minutes, and use a large spatula to carefully transfer the cheese to a serving platter. Top with the bacon mixture.

Step 9

Surround with crackers and serve warm. 16 servings.