First, gather all your ingredients. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is perfect for cooking bacon evenly without burning it. While the oven heats, line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Place the sliced bacon onto the prepared baking sheet. Ensure the strips don’t overlap; you want each piece to crisp up evenly. It’s best if they lay flat and spread out on the sheet.

In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, cracked black pepper, and cayenne pepper. This mixture is where the magic starts. Stir until well mixed.

Sprinkle this flavorful blend evenly over the bacon. Don’t be shy! The sugar will caramelize in the oven, creating a delightful crust.

Pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it—the sugar can burn quickly, so you want it a perfect caramel brown. The bacon will also become super crispy as it cooks.

Once cooked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the bacon cool for a few minutes. This allows the sugars to set and crystallize. Then, slice it up (if you wish) and serve immediately.