Food How to Make Classic Baked Beans Baked beans are an American classic. This updated version is perfectly balanced with sweetness from the molasses and brown sugar, smokiness from the bacon, and a bit of acid from the onion, mustard, and tomato paste. Using two different colors of beans creates more visual interest. (Source: Culinary Institute of America) Share This Previous ArticleFelix Baumgartner's Space Jump from 128,000 Feet Next ArticleJean-Michel Basquiat Painting in Downtown NYC April 10, 2013