Preheat oven to 400F

In a small cast iron skillet, cook bacon until it’s crispy. Transfer it to the side to cool.

In the same skillet, using the rendered bacon fat, cook your onions, sugar, and salt slowly over medium heat until the onions are nicely caramelized. This usually takes about 20 minutes depending on how thinly sliced the onions are.

Remove from heat and splash in your sherry and hot sauce if you’re using them and give everything a good stir.

Next, crumble your bacon into the skillet and add in your Gruyere, crème fraîche, and mayonnaise and some fresh ground black pepper and mix everything well.

Bake the skillet of dip for 10 to 20 minutes until it’s golden and bubbly and you can’t wait a moment longer!

Remove from oven and allow to cool and set for about 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh thyme, and serve with pita chips or nice crusty bread.