Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Oil 8- by 8- by 2-inch glass baking dish.

Mix first 5 ingredients in large bowl. Stir in 1 1/4 cups Coca-Cola. Add beans; stir to blend. Transfer to prepared dish. Top bean mixture with bacon pieces.

Bake until bacon is crisp and bean mixture is hot and bubbling, about 1 hour. If mixture is dry, pour 1/4 cup more Coca-Cola over bean mixture to moisten. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve.

This recipe yields 6 servings.

Comments: Coca-Cola was invented in the late 1800s by Atlanta pharmacist John Styth Pemberton, and it really hit its stride after the turn of the century. The company has introduced several variations over the years (Diet Coke, Cherry Coke and the short-lived New Coke), but Coca-Cola Classic has always been the big seller. And it has made its way into quite a few recipes, including a Coca-Cola cake and a Coke-glazed baked ham. Here it adds a sweet caramel note to a simple version of baked beans.