1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Steps Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire cooling rack on top. Arrange the bacon on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle brown sugar up and down each slice of bacon. Repeat the process with the black pepper and the cayenne. Bake until the bacon is crisp, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.