I don’t know about you but I’m in dire need of some holiday culinary inspiration. I had to share this lovely treat that I am whipping up for some friends and family – Bacon Bark. Yes – you heard that right – Bacon. Bark. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, highly addictive and it will take every ounce of willpower for you to share with your loved ones. If you serve this at any holiday soiree, I guarantee you that it will be gone in a flash. If you leave it for Santa – let’s just say that you might wind up on the nice list for quite some time. After all – isn’t almost everything better with bacon?
Sunny Anderson divulged the secret some time ago and I’ve played with the recipe just a pinch and am over the moon about it. Don’t get me wrong – I love spreading holiday cheer among my friends and family and will be baking up cookies, whipping up some DIY gifts and other sweet treats galore. However, those that get this bacon deliciousness – those peeps have VIP status – just don’t tell the others, okay?
On to the recipe:
Gather your ingredients
First comes the bacon
Time to chop the pecans
Adding a bit of maple love to the nuts and spices
Before and After The Oven Sauna
Try to resist keeping it all to yourself
Slightly adapted from Sunny Anderson
Yields 8
Sweet and salty, this Bacon Bark is absolutely addicting and the perfect gift to give or receive! Thick cut bacon is tossed with nuts, spices and a bit of sweetness for a delicious sweet and salty treat.
15 minPrep Time
30 minCook Time
45 minTotal Time
Save Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 strips of center-cut bacon, cut with scissors into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup of light brown sugar
- Zest of 1/2 a lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup of pecan halves, gently chopped
- 1 cup of slivered almonds
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 1/4 cup of light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
- Pinch of cayenne
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with foil.
- In a large bowl, mix together the bacon, brown sugar, lemon zest, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and a quick pinch of ground pepper
- Mix thoroughly and spread onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8 – 10 minutes until the bacon is cooked but still a bit “floppy”.
- While the bacon is sizzling in the oven, mix together the pecans, almonds, maple syrup, brown sugar, smoked paprika, pumpkin pie spice and cayenne pepper. Add a bit of salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly.
- When the bacon is done, remove to the bowl containing the nut mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Tumble onto a silpat lined baking sheet in a flat layer and let bake for 15 minutes – mixing well halfway through.
- After 15 minutes, open the oven door a bit, turn off the heat and let stay in the oven for another 15 – 20 minutes.
- Remove and let cool to room temperature.
- When the bacon bark has cooled, break into big pieces and put into a sealed container or jar.
- Enjoy!
