Maple Whiskey Glazed Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies® will be the hit of any gathering with a rich glaze of maple and whiskey then wrapped in bacon.
This post is sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc and Sam’s Club but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. It has been updated from its original November 2018 publishing with clarified recipe card, updated text, and a new image.
Ah, the holidays are upon us. Whether you’ve been playing Christmas music since July or have reluctantly begun to accept what the calendar and weather are telling us, it’s time to start figuring out what we’re doing when.
I moved away from family in Southern California 19 years ago. In those 19 years, I’ve gone home for Thanksgiving maybe twice and Christmas maybe ten times. Holiday travel hasn’t always been possible or practical for me.
As a result, I have had many holidays with friends or shall I say Friendsgivings and Friendsmases.
What are Friendsgiving and Friendsmas?
I’m uncertain of when these phrases came to be. I know TV pop culture had a lot to do with it; particularly the ever-popular Friends TV show and their Thanksgiving episodes each year.
Friendsgiving and Friendsmas are pretty much like they sound, Thanksgiving and Christmas with friends (vs family.)
The holidays are a special and important time for many. However, for those who are unable to spend it with their family (or do not want to spend it with their family), gathering of friends, particularly those friends who serve as family, to celebrate is pretty common place.
As I mentioned, it has not always been possible or practical for me to travel to my family during the holidays and am grateful I have my tribe to celebrate with.
My core group of friends do not have family nearby either (well one does but she falls into the ‘doesn’t want to spend it with family’ category.) Some of our gatherings are full meals with all the trimmings. Other times we prefer to do the small plate approach.
This year is the small plate approach.
I don’t know about you, but holiday parties are not the same if there isn’t Lil Smokies on the table somewhere. It’s not much of any party or gathering anytime of the year if there aren’t Lil Smokies out.
What are Lit’l Smokies®?
Lit’l Smokies® are the miniature sausages (or hot dogs) made by Hillshire Farm®. They are bite size and either all-beef or a blend of both beef and pork. Both are delicious.
I’ve made them so many ways over the years, but usually in the slow cooker in a tasty sauce of some kind. This season I wanted to up my game.
My best friend’s husband a couple of years ago told me about some he had a dinner while traveling once. He asked me to recreate them for him. I finally did. Introducing Maple Whiskey Glazed Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies®.
How to make bacon wrapped little smokies
The bacon is thick-cut (which in my humble opinion is the ONLY way bacon should be cut), so I was able to cut each strip into 4 pieces for wrapping 4 smokies.
After wrapping the bacon around the mini-sausage, secure it with a tooth pick. I’d dip it in the glaze at this point then place it on the baking sheet. You could wrap them all then dip them all or brush the glaze over them with a basting brush.
Making the glaze using mostly on-hand ingredients was really simple. However, Maple Whiskey is needed and for most, a special purchase.
All the glaze ingredients go into a saucepan, reduce, and then it’s done.
These will be devoured quickly, so make sure you get a few squirreled away for your own savoring. Or just make sure your friends save you a few.
Easy Party Appetizer Recipes
Maple Whiskey Glazed Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies® are always a hit at a party, but a good party needs a variety of noshes.
Easy Dip Recipes
Easy Small Bite Appetizers
- Baked Breaded Mushrooms
- Sweet-Kickin’ Mini-Smoked Sausages
- Roasted Stuffed Avocados
- Blackberry Pistachio Mini Bagels
Maple Whiskey Glazed Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies
Maple Whiskey Glazed Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies will be the hit of any gathering with a rich glaze of maple and whiskey then wrapped in bacon.
Ingredients
Maple Whiskey Glaze
- 1 cup maple whiskey
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ½ tsp ground mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp pepper
Bacon Mini Sausages
- 2 lbs Wright® Brand Bacon
- 3 lbs Hillshire Farm® Lit’l Smokies
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F.
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Whisk all glaze ingredients together and bring to a boil in a small saucepan.
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Allow to cook at a high simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly.
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Reduce heat to medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced by ⅓, about a half-hour.
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While the sauce is reducing, cut the bacon into four pieces.
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Wrap each smokie and secure with a toothpick.
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Ladle some of the glaze into a small bowl.
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Dip each wrapped mini-sausage into the finger bowl of glaze holding by the toothpick or using a basting brush coat each piece with glaze.
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Place them in a single layer in a lined baking sheet.
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Bake for 30 minutes.
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At the 15-minute mark, give them another quick basting. (This is optional.)
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After 30 minutes or when they’ve reached the desired crispiness, remove them from the oven and allow to cool to touch.
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Plate and serve.
18 Comments
Chrissie Baker
November 20, 2018 at 12:00 pmWow is such a cool idea to treat guests with a great appetizer. It looks so appetizing that I can not wait to try. I add this recipe to my favorites because it really impresses.
Michelle De La Cerda
November 26, 2018 at 9:22 amThank you Chrissie. They were a huge hit.
Catalina
November 21, 2018 at 2:55 amOh my goodness! How inviting are these lottle smokies!
Michelle De La Cerda
November 26, 2018 at 9:20 amOr addicting…both adjectives work. 🙂
Abeer
November 21, 2018 at 2:57 amSuch an amazing appetizer idea! Everyone will love this!
Michelle De La Cerda
November 26, 2018 at 9:20 amIt was a big hit when I served them. Thank you.
Toni | Boulder Locavore
November 21, 2018 at 9:12 amThis is perfect for entertaining! Such a great idea!
Michelle De La Cerda
November 26, 2018 at 9:20 amThank you Toni.
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
November 22, 2018 at 4:12 amThis couldn’t look any more perfect!
Michelle De La Cerda
November 26, 2018 at 9:19 amAh thank you Erin.
Brandy O'Neill
November 23, 2018 at 9:34 amThis would go so fast in my house!
Michelle De La Cerda
November 26, 2018 at 9:18 amYes, they would. Be sure to save some for yourself when plating.
Jeff the Chef
November 24, 2018 at 10:22 pmI love Friendsgiving. I also love spending Thanksgiving with my family (as I did this year), but it’s so wonderful to spend it with friends, too. I usually alternate years. I guess what I’m trying to say is that even for those of us who can and want to spend Thanksgiving with family, it’s refreshing and wonderful and special to with friends sometime.
Michelle De La Cerda
November 26, 2018 at 9:18 amI agree completely. It’s nice to spend with either/or or altogether with both.
Trish Gardner
November 14, 2019 at 3:25 pmRight on!❤️
Sandra | A Dash of Sanity
November 26, 2018 at 7:58 amThese look really delish! A sure hit at holiday parties!
Michelle De La Cerda
November 26, 2018 at 9:17 amThey would be awesome at any holiday party.
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