Candied Bacon Pigs

1 (14 ounce) package little smokie sausages

1 pound bacon slices, cut into thirds crosswise

1 ½ cups brown sugar, divided

½ (12 fluid ounce) can cola-flavored carbonated beverage

½ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder

1 dash hot pepper sauce, or to taste

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Wrap each little sausage with 1/3 slice of bacon, and secure them with toothpicks.

Place the appetizers on a large baking sheet and sprinkle with 3/4 cup of brown sugar.

Bake in the preheated oven until the sugar is melted and bubbling, about 40 minutes; turn the appetizers after 20 minutes.

Remove the appetizers from the baking sheet with a slotted spoon, and place into a slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup of brown sugar and the five-spice powder over the smokies, and drizzle with the cola. If desired, add hot sauce to taste.

Set the cooker to High, and cook 4 hours. Serve warm.