Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray and oven-safe baking rack with pan spray. Set the baking rack on the baking sheet and set aside.

Combine the brown sugar with the pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired, and spread out on a plate or in a small baking sheet. Press each slice of bacon into the sugar mixture until one side is thoroughly covered in sugar.

Lay the sugared bacon onto the prepared baking rack and bake for 20-24 minutes, rotating the pan as needed, until the bacon is crisp around the edges.

Remove the pan from the oven and let the bacon cook for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a parchment lined plate or baking sheet to finish cooling.