Cheesy Bacon Puff Pastry Twists

Ingredients

• 1 package frozen puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded (or a mix of your favorite cheeses)
• 1–2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
• 26–30 pieces thin cut bacon (or 18 pieces of thin cut bacon sliced in half lengthwise)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced (may sub sage or thyme)
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• Honey (optional for drizzling)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 °F.
2. Dust a cutting board with flour and place a sheet of puff pastry on top.
3. Brush the surface lightly with some of the beaten egg. Sprinkle with your desired amount of cayenne pepper.
   Sprinkle surface with 1/2 cup of cheese to evenly cover entire surface.
4. Dust a rolling pin lightly with flour and then roll the rolling pin over the cheese to gently press the cheese into the puff pastry.
5. Cut the puff pastry into long 1/2-inch-wide strips and then take each strip, fold in half and pinch the ends together.
6. Now gently twist each strip several times.
7. Take a piece of bacon and wrap it around the twisted pastry and place on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Repeat with the remaining puff pastry and bacon until everything has been used.
9. Add the brown sugar, rosemary, salt, and pepper to a shallow bowl or pie plate and toss well.
10. Carefully take one bacon-wrapped pastry and dip it in the brown sugar mixture, using your hands to coat all over the twist. Repeat for each twist.
11. Place each twist on the baking sheet.
12. Bake the twists for 30–50 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through.
13. Check them at around 30 minutes and then every 5–10 minutes after until lightly browned.
14. Remove from the oven and cool for five minutes.
15. Enjoy!