A comfort food classic has received a game-changing makeover, and it’s all thanks to one surprisingly sweet ingredient.

Foodies across the internet are raving about a baked beans recipe dubbed "The Best Ever," which swaps tradition for a sticky-sweet twist. The recipe, shared by The Pioneer Woman, takes a standard can of baked beans and makes it something you could present proudly on the dinner table. "You'll never make 'em any other way. Promise," the website states. The recipe calls for a hearty mix of barbecue sauce, chopped green pepper, onion, vinegar, mustard.

But what really sets it apart is the addition of half a cup of brown sugar.

The sugar adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness to balance the tangy and smoky flavours, making the can of baked beans more complex.

If that wasn’t enough to tempt taste buds, it’s topped off with crispy strips of partially cooked bacon that caramelise in the oven. The result is a bubbling tray of sticky, smoky, sweet beans that food lovers are calling "addictive" and "unforgettable."

"The beans are topped with strips of partially-cooked bacon, and baked low and slow until the bacon gets a little crispy and the beans thicken," the website said.

According to The Pioneer Woman, the secret lies in the low-and-slow baking process.

The beans are baked at 180C for two hours, allowing the sauce to reduce to a syrupy texture and the bacon to crisp up just right.

"These baked beans are smoky, sweet, tangy, and absolutely unforgettable," the website said.

With summer barbecue season approaching, the dish is quickly being bookmarked as a must-have side for back garden feasts and family gatherings, and with ingredients most cooks already have on hand, it’s a budget-friendly crowd-pleaser.