The first time I made Candied Pecan Bacon, I had company coming over for a pre-party. I put these out, and everyone went crazy, including myself. They kept saying, what is this deliciousness? It’s bacon that’s roasted with pulverized pecan brown sugar until it’s caramelized. Need I say more?
I have cooked this recipe many times, but I must credit Ina Garten. She developed the recipe, but I had my twist on the bacon. The actual bacon is from Nueske’s – a 3rd generation family-run business made in Wittenberg, WI.
The other incredible ingredient is the Holy Smoke Hickory Smoked Sea Salt. Kyle Payne and Max Blackman founded Holy Smoke, LLC in 2012 in Charleston, SC. Our mission is to create unique, delicious, healthy smoked foods that everyone can enjoy.
Candied Pecan Bacon
Ingredients
- 3/4 C. Light Brown Sugar – packed
- 3/4 C. Whole Pecans – lightly toasted
- 1 tsp. Holy Smoke – Hickory Smoked Sea Salt*
- 1/8 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
- 2 Tbsp. Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 lb. Thick-Sliced Applewood Smoked Bacon – I like Nueske's*
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- In a food processor, combine the brown sugar, pecans, salt, black pepper, and cayenne and mix until the pecans are finely chopped. Add the maple syrup and process until the mixture becomes moist. In a medium-size bowl, place all the ingredients together, except the bacon, and mix well with a fork.
- Remove the bacon from the package. Cut each slice in half, and place it on a foil-lined baking sheet with a wire rack on top of the foil. Place the bacon on the rack. Spread the sugar mixture over all the pieces of bacon, making sure to cover every spot. This step is important, so it all caramelizes evenly.
- Bake the bacon for 5 to 7 minutes or until you see that the sugar mixture is caramelizing on the top. Serve the bacon upright in a glass where the bacon will stick out a couple of inches or on a platter.
- *I carry the Holy Smoke Sea Salt at my spcae in The Marketplace on Locust! 822 Locust Street Hendersonville, NC *The link for the bacon – https://www.nueskes.com/applewood-smoked-bacon-5-lb-pack-/