Sweet & Smoky Crackers in a Blanket

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Warning: This recipe does not claim to be vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, low-fat, heart healthy, or paleo, but it IS 100% delicious!

If you're looking for an easy recipe that will please both the adults and kids in your life, then look no further. Close your eyes and imagine crispy, rendered bacon, wrapped around a crisp buttery club cracker, brushed with smokey barbecue sauce with a hint of sweet, seasoned brown sugar sprinkle caramelizing on top. Mmhmm, thought you'd like that visual.

I've made these treats many times over the years, most recently for a local meat raffle. We left early (with some meaty prizes), but were instructed to leave the container! This weekend is a friend's house party and it was heavily requested that they make a reappearance.

The best part about these appetizers is that they're completely personalizable, with as little as three ingredients and can be seasoned however you wish. The basic recipe consists of simply club crackers, bacon strips, and brown sugar, baked in a low and slow oven for about an hour. Let them cool on a wire rack or brown paper bag and voila! Ready to store and munch on. Not a fan of the sweet and savory combo? Substitute the brown sugar with grated parmesan cheese for an umami bomb that's just as satisfying .

I like to dress mine up by brushing them with a little Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce and mix in paprika and garlic powder into the brown sugar mixture.

See what you'll need:

Shopping List

- Club style butter crackers

- Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce

- Center or Original Cut Bacon

Pantry List

Here's how to make them:

First, line your baking sheets with aluminum foil. Depending on how many crackers in a blanket you'd like to make, adjust your size and number of baking sheets. You can fit quite a few on one tray!

Get your station ready for assembly by opening your cracker packets, mixing your seasonings with the brown sugar, setting out a bowl of your BBQ sauce (if using) and a brush, and finally, cutting the bacon strips into halves or thirds, depending on the length of your bacon.

To make each cracker: Pick up your club cracker and wrap around its middle with your cut bacon strip, making sure it meets in the back. Place seam side down on your prepared baking sheet. Repeat as many times as there are crackers and bacon and line up about 1/2 inch apart.

Brush each cracker with a very thin layer of BBQ sauce - aim mostly for the bacon for maximum crispiness - and sprinkle with about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of seasoned brown sugar.

Place in a pre-heated 250°F (120°C) oven for 45 minutes, but give them a look-see every 20 minutes to make sure the sugar and sauce doesn't over-caramelize and begin to burn. Once removed from the oven, give them a minute or two to cool down, then transfer to either a wire rack or a brown paper bag to cool completely.

These can be stored at room temperature for a few hours in an airtight container, but I suggest keeping them refrigerated until you're almost ready to serve and then re-heating for a few minutes in an air-fryer or hot oven to warm through. They're excellent warm or at room temp, so perfect to bring to an outdoor event or movie night!

Be careful - they're completely addicting!

Sweet & Smoky Crackers in a Blanket

Recipe makes 32 appetizers

Recommended serving size: 2-4 per person

Oven Temperature: 250°F (120°C)

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Flavors: Savory, sweet, smoky, barbecue, bacon, umami

Ingredients:

32 Club style butter crackers (about 2 sleeves of Snack Stacks)

1 16oz package classic or center cut bacon strips (16 strips)

2 Tbsp Sweet Baby Ray's Original BBQ Sauce

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1/4 - 1/2 tsp regular or smoked paprika

1/4 tsp granulated garlic powder

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C). Line 1-2 baking trays with aluminum foil or Silpat liners.

2. Prepare for assembly: In a small bowl, combine (1/4C) brown sugar, (1/4 - 1/2 tsp) paprika, and (1/4 tsp) garlic powder and set aside. In another small bowl, place your BBQ sauce. Cut bacon strips in half and set aside.

3. Wrap each cracker in a 1/2 strip of bacon and place seam side down on your prepared baking sheet, 1/2 inch apart. Continue until you have used all the bacon.

4. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the bacon wrapped crackers with (2 Tbsp) sauce, keeping the edges of the crackers un-sauced.

5. Sprinkle each cracker with about 1/4 - 1/2 tsp brown sugar mixture.

6. Place trays in preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, checking every 20 minutes to ensure they are not browning too quickly.

7. Once bacon is cooked and caramelized, remove trays from oven and let cool for about 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack or paper bag to cool completely.

8. Serve at room temperature, or place crackers in an airtight container.

To reheat:

Air fry for 7-8 minutes at 300°F (147°C) or bake for 10 minutes at 350°F (175°C).

Notes:

- For a savory version, omit the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and spices and substitute 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese.

- Can be served either warm or room temperature.

- Can be made ahead and stored at room temperature overnight. Refrigerate after cooling if made more than one day in advance.