Slow cooked over walnut wood and tossed with maple syrup, brown sugar and sweet barbecue sauce. This smoked bacon treat is the best way to enjoy everyone’s favorite cut of pork.
Yes, you read that right: candied bacon. Of all the advances mankind has made, perhaps the greatest is getting candy from a pig. Whether you’re a seasoned, humorous master looking to add some sweetness to your arsenal of savory meaty treats, or a beginner working with your first rotisserie and just want to try new things, snack on meaty treats. looking for
Here we discuss how to make Bacon Sweets, a real treat that combines the natural, delicious taste of bacon with the caramelized sweetness of smoked maple syrup and brown sugar. However, one of the best things about bacon drops is their versatility as there is literally no one right way to prepare them. You have a multitude of options – from an impromptu snack that WILL be prepared in under an hour, to something that WILL be marinated overnight and smoked very slowly, candied bacon is sure to be a hit at your next cookout.
Want something hard and tough? Check out our smoked bacon jerky recipe .
Let’s first look at what you need, then let’s see what you can do with it.
What kind of firewood should you use for bacon?
Pork tastes best when smoked with sweeter woods like apple or walnut. While maple is usually good, I would overdo it with the maple syrup here. Avoid sharp or stinging woods like hickory, mesquite, or oak.
He uses pecans for this recipe. It goes well with all types of pork and has a richer flavor than apple, it needs a touch of nutty flavor.
The fat
The type of bacon YOU use is really up to YOU, but for making candy, you should at least watch the weight. While thin bacon works, the creepier cuts make for a better meat-to-sweet ratio and hold up better in a smoker. You can use maple or pepper bacon if you like, but considering the flavor transformation this specialty bacon will undergo, regular smoked bacon will work just fine. One final note on bacon: For those who want nothing but the best, keep an eye out for Korobuta Hogs Beef Cuts, as they’re reputed to be the best bacon money can buy.
The Rest
One great thing about bacon candies is the simple ingredient list. Maybe you need a cup of maple syrup and a cup of brown or dark brown sugar, along with your favorite sweet spice. If you don’t have a problem, you can buy a number. You can find some excellent and easy recipes online to make one at home. You can even stop rubbing altogether and still get a great end result.
The Hardware
Depending on how you want to prepare, you may need a stand mixer, marinade pan, a good brush, and tongs. Plus, grilling and cleanup WILL BE a lot easier when you have a cooling rack, a baking sheet, and some aluminum foil.
The preparation
Here are some options. It’s up to you whether you want to marinate your bacon or serve just before cooking; whether you brush it on or dip it straight in. Let’s talk about the different methods and then we’ll get to the cooking.
To marinate, add bacon to skillet and drizzle with maple syrup. Then sprinkle some dressing on top and brush everything with it. Continue repeating each layer until you run out of bacon. Cover the pan and leave in the fridge overnight. When you’re done, go to the smoker. We’ll discuss how to layer the bacon later, which is universal, but then add as much brown sugar as you see fit along with some more rubbing.
Don’t you want this to last all night? No problem. You can go directly from the preparation to a preheated smoker if you wish. Again, you have a few options.
For maximum coverage, mix 1/2 cup of maple syrup with 1/2 cup of brown sugar and rub into a tattoo. Then add the bacon with tongs and let sit until the smoker is hot. The remaining mixture can also be deleted halfway through the cooking time.
If you don’t want to spoil your pain, you can skip this step and add all three ingredients directly to the bacon. If you’ve marinated it, you’ll be fine with maple syrup and you can probably stick to the dry stuff. As a side note, using a brush not only helps blend elements together, but also gives you better coverage overall. You can coat both sides or leave it on one, and you can do this before or preparing the bacon for cooking.
The order
Whatever you choose, you’ll end up wanting to place each piece of bacon a little away from its neighbor on a cooling rack, Bradley rack, or similar grilling item. Place this rack on a foil-lined baking sheet if you have one. If you haven’t added anything to your bacon yet, now is the time. When you’re satisfied the bacon fudge is ready, find a high spot on your smoker and get to work.
The quick snack
Bring your smoker to 135°C(275°F). Depending on your taste, you can cook at this temperature for between 25 and 45 minutes. You can also flip the bacon halfway through and reapply the coatings however you like, although it is required.
The slow smoke
Here the temperature should be slightly lower, 107°C(225°F), to roast more slowly. Smoke your bacon for an hour. Then flip each piece of bacon and reapply your desired toppings. Now cook for another 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your taste.
Always let cooked bacon fudge cool, if you can, for 20-30 minutes before enjoying.
Writer & content creator. BBQ fanatic!