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Sweet and spicy bacon cheeseburger with candied bacon and pickles

Sweet & Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger

A juicy American cheeseburger topped with candied bacon made with William’s Mill Sweet Signature Blend and finished with a spicy Pickle Bomb pickle. Sweet, salty, smoky, and hot in the same bite.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Burgers
  • 600 g ground beef ideally around 20% fat
  • 4 burger buns
  • 4 slices cheddar or American-style burger cheese
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 4 –8 slices Spicy Pickle Bomb pickles
  • Butter or oil for toasting the buns optional
Sweet Signature Candied Bacon
  • 8 slices bacon
  • 30 ml William’s Mill Sweet Signature Blend
Optional Toppings
  • Thinly sliced red onion
  • Lettuce
  • Tomato
  • Mayonnaise
  • Yellow mustard
  • Ketchup

Equipment

  • Large frying pan, griddle, or cast-iron skillet
  • Baking tray
  • Baking paper
  • Wire rack, optional
  • Spatula

Method
 

Make the Candied Bacon
  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C conventional / 180°C fan.
  2. Line a baking tray with baking paper. A wire rack placed over the tray works especially well if you have one.
  3. Arrange the bacon in a single layer.
  4. Sprinkle the Sweet Signature Blend evenly over both sides of the bacon, pressing it gently onto the surface.
  5. Bake for approximately 15–20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon, until browned and caramelized.
  6. Remove from the oven and let the bacon rest for a few minutes. The coating will become stickier and firmer as it cools.
Cook the Burgers
  1. Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions of about 150 g each.
  2. Shape gently into patties slightly wider than the burger buns. Avoid packing the meat too tightly.
  3. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
  4. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high to high heat.
  5. Cook the patties for approximately 3–4 minutes on the first side.
  6. Flip and cook for another 2–4 minutes, depending on thickness and desired doneness.
  7. Place a slice of cheese on each patty during the final minute of cooking and allow it to melt.
  8. Toast the burger buns cut-side down in the pan with a little butter or oil if desired.
Build the Burgers
  1. Spread the bottom bun with your preferred sauce.
  2. Add the cheeseburger patty.
  3. Top with 2 slices of Sweet Signature candied bacon.
  4. Add Spicy Pickle Bomb pickle slices.
  5. Add any optional onion, lettuce, or tomato.
  6. Finish with the top bun and serve immediately.

Notes

The Sweet Signature Blend contains sugar, so watch the bacon closely toward the end of cooking. You want it caramelized, not burned.
For a stronger Sweet Signature flavor, add a light second sprinkle halfway through cooking.
The Spicy Pickle Bomb pickles are important here because their acidity cuts through the beef, cheese, and bacon while bringing the heat.
For a milder burger, use fewer Pickle Bomb slices. For more heat, pile them on.
Keep the burger toppings fairly simple. There is already a lot happening between the beef, melted cheese, candied bacon, and spicy pickles.

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