This is a side for my bounty of bacon brunch menu. Bacon and maple are best friends; now they get to live inside a biscuit along with some black pepper. These are salty, sweet, and spicy in each bite. I hope you like it.

8 strips of applewood smoked bacon
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 cups flour (more for board)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/3 cup butter
3/4 whole milk

Heat oven to 400.

On a rack on a baking sheet, place bacon strips. Cook for 10 minutes and brush on a coat of maple syrup.

Cook for an additional 4 minutes; turn and add a coat of maple syrup on other side. Cook until bacon is crispy.

Let bacon cool.

In a bowl add flour, baking powder, baking soda, black pepper, red pepper, and salt.

Cut in butter with forks or a pastry tool until butter is incorporated.

Add milk and mix.

Chop bacon and add to dough while kneeding.

Turn out dough on a floured board; kneed 10 times.

Cut out biscuits with a biscuit cutter

Add biscuits to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake for 10-13 minutes or until golden brown.