Bacon for a Crowd

Remove from pan immediately so it doesn't stick.

Visiting our daughter, Emily, and her family for the weekend, we planned to cook a big breakfast Saturday morning. Emily suggested we try baking bacon (instead of frying it). Using her largest cookie sheet, we were able to fit 10 slices in one layer. Baking was easier and less messy than frying. While the bacon was cooking we started the hash browns and omelets, and toasted the bagels. Eating a hearty breakfast while the twins took their morning nap helped us prepare for another busy day.

Secrets for Success: You can see from the photo that the bacon needs to be drained thoroughly. Use a cookie sheet with a lip to contain bacon drippings and carefully remove the pan from the oven keeping it level to prevent spills. For best results, the thickness of each slice of bacon should be uniform. (Notice the one thinner slice is overcooked.) Do not preheat the oven.  

Baked Bacon

Arrange bacon in one layer on a large cookie sheet, preferably nonstick. Place in a cold oven. Turn heat to 350 degrees. Bake about 20 minutes (more or less depending on how many slices you are cooking) until starting to crisp. Immediately remove from pan (or bacon will stick) onto a paper towel lined plate. Enjoy!

Cleanup:  When cookie sheet is cool, discard bacon grease by scraping into garbage can using a metal or rubber spatula to remove as much grease as possible. Then wash cookie sheet in hot, soapy water.