Maple Bacon Baked Beans

Ingredients

• 4 strips thick-cut bacon (chopped)
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 6 cups canned white beans (or 1 lb dried beans, prepared)
• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup molasses
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 1 can tomato paste (156 ml or ½ cup)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• 1-2 pinches of red pepper flakes (optional)