American Royal Caveman Pig Candy

  • Serving Size: 4-8
  • Difficulty
  • Print Recipe
  • Serving Size: 4-8
  • Difficulty

1 lb (16 slices) Thick sliced Pork Bacon
1/4 Cup Honey, warmed slightly
2 Tbsp Twist’d Q™ Sweet Mesquite Chicken Rub (Currently in stores as American Royal Chicken Rub™)
1/3 Cup Light Brown Sugar


  1. Pre-heat oven to 325º degrees Fahrenheit/165º Celsius.
  2. Place a cooking rack in a half sheet pan.
  3. Place honey in saucepan and set over low heat to warm.
  4. Lightly brush the bacon with the warmed honey.
  5. Sprinkle the bacon lightly with Sweet Mesquite Rub.
  6. Sprinkle the bacon with the brown sugar.
  7. Gently press the seasoning and the sugar into the bacon using the fingertips.
  8. Flip the bacon and repeat steps 5,6 and 7.
  9. Arrange the bacon on the cooking rack.
  10. Place the sheet pan and rack into the oven and cook until all the sugar melts and the bacon is slightly crispy.
  11. Remove the pan from the oven and let the strips cool for 3 minutes.
  12. Using tongs transfer strips to a platter and serve.


  • If Pig Candy needs to be re-warmed, do it in a slow oven set at 175 º degrees Fahrenheit /80º Celsius and warm for about 5 minutes. This will also allow any congealed surface fat to melt down and restore the sheen to the bacon.
  • Aluminum saucepans react negatively with vinegar or citrus juices and produce off flavors. Use stainless steel pans or enameled pans wherever possible.


Patrick McDonnell Photography