To make the maple candied bacon, add bacon in one layer on a rack. Place the rack on an aluminum foil lined rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle bacon with maple syrup and sprinkle with brown sugar. Place in the oven.

Turn oven to 425°F. You want to put the bacon in a cold oven and allow it to bake as the oven preheats so the bacon candies properly! Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes (time may vary based on how quickly your oven heats up, so check it a couple of times). Remove from oven when done (keep oven on) and roughly chop bacon. Set aside.

While the bacon is cooking, spray a separate baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Wash and scrub sweet potatoes well, then pat dry with paper towels.

Using a sharp knife, slice 1/8-inch wide slits into each sweet potato, stopping 1/2-inch from the bottom of the potato. You don't want to cut straight through! Place on baking sheet.

In a small bowl, whisk together butter, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Brush half the butter onto the potatoes and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and brush with remaining butter. Return to the oven to bake for another 25 minutes, until soft and tender in the center.

Remove potatoes from oven and sprinkle with both shredded cheeses. Return to oven and bake until the cheeses are melted, about 5 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with candied bacon and fresh thyme leaves. Serve immediately.