Friday, September 16, 2011

Bacon Nut Brittle

While I don't usually associate candy and football, here's one that will go over big-Bacon Nut Brittle. 
Oh yea, salty, sweet, smoky bacon and nuts, what's not to love!

Of  course my Sous Chef Earl was a little leery about the choice of ingredients in this recipe... 
he said he'd help, but didn't want anyone to know he was cooking bacon...
Very smooth, I'm sure you fooled everyone...

My friend sent me the Food Network Magazine that had a bunch of bacon recipes in it-thanks Carol! While I didn't have luck using their recipe, I'll still call that my inspiration. I found a lady making brittle on U-Tube HERE and used her method with great results! I seem to have better luck with the 'in the skillet-looking for a certain color'-method than the thermometer method for some reason. So here's what I did and I'll list Food Network's recipe in case anyone wants to try it.

Bacon Nut Brittle
1 C sugar
1/2 C Light Karo Syrup
1/4 C water
1 C nuts, toasted if raw (it's ok to add 1/2 C more)-I had cashews so that's what I used
5 pieces of bacon, cooked and crumbled (maybe a little more:@)
pinch of cayenne (optional)
pinch of cinnamon (optional-I'll leave this out next time)
1 tsp baking soda
  1. Have the nuts, bacon, spices and baking soda in one bowl ready to add in.
  2. Add sugar, Karo and water to a large skillet. Bring to a boil while stirring. Cook over medium/high heat until it's honey colored, about 15 minutes, stirring constantly. You will notice that the bubbles will get big and the longer it cooks they get smaller.
  3. Tip: I'll drop just a  little splatter of it on my stove, it cools and hardens quickly letting me know if it's ready or not.
  4. Once it's a beautiful amber honey color and thick, remove from heat and immediately add the bacon, nuts, spices and baking soda. 
  5. Mix well and fast, pour out onto silicone mat or a well buttered cookie sheet, flatten a little to make it thinner.
  6. Cool, break apart and enjoy!
Bacon Brittle-Food Network
Boil 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan, without stirring, until 340 degrees, 8-10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup peanuts, 5 slices crumbled cooked bacon, 1 Tblsp butter and a pinch each of cayenne and cinnamon. Spread on a greased baking sheet to harden.
Have a happy day:@)
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34 comments:

  1. Sherri B.September 16, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    That's Earl, I would have never guessed ?! - I can't believe a bacon lover like myself never heard of this before...could this be called a meal? - Have a good weekend my friend. x0

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  2. A Kitchen WitchSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    Yum! I've never made brittle before, but this may be just the recipe to inspire me to try...anything with bacon, right?!

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  3. HollySeptember 16, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    What the WHAT!!!!??? Bacon and peaunut brittle in one glorious bite? Do you have any idea what my husband would do for this? Thanks for the ammo.

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    BAco in peanut brittle??? You are teaching lots of ways to use bacon. Think I'll give this one a try.
    Chris

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  5. Maura @ Kisiwa Creek PhotographySeptember 16, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Oh Yum...I'll have to try this out on hubby...he's not much of a candy eater but he sure loves him some bacon! Hope you're enjoying some beautiful fall weather.
    Maura :)

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  6. Barbara F.September 16, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    I have heard of bacon in ice cream, so I guess it is tasty with nuts in a brittle. too. I bet the guys love it. xo,

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  7. MichaeleSeptember 16, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    You have gone too far this time.
    But I would certainly try a piece.

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  8. Linda @ A La CarteSeptember 16, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    This sounds interesting! Earl?? Earl??? is that you???

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  9. Kathy WalkerSeptember 16, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    My hubby says bacon goes great with everything...I will take your word on the brittle. I would like to taste it before venturing out there!

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  10. LisaSeptember 16, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    Sounds interesting. I love new flavor combos and this sounds like a winner.
    Lisa

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  11. KathleenSeptember 16, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Is it a Full Moon? :)

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  12. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    I would soooo love to try that but I know the brittle would pull every last filling out of my head. It really looks so delish though!!

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  13. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to CookSeptember 16, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Earl is so cool! Interesting candy, but count me in with the sweet and salty!

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  14. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    Who is that masked piggy?
    Man-O-man...I got to eat some of this!
    ~JO

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  15. MarySeptember 16, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Bacon is being paired with everything these days~ this is bound to be good! That Earl is a master of disguise :-)

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  16. Gloria BakerSeptember 16, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    Look and sounds delicious!! gloria

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  17. UnknownSeptember 16, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    Bacon makes anything better.

    A friend once said: "Someone can say the word bacon and they can't help
    but to smile!"

    I love the idea of bacon in the brittle will give this a try soon.

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  18. EileenSeptember 16, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    I would never have thought of that, but it sounds pretty good. :)

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  19. www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.comSeptember 16, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    My first reaction is EWWWWW! Bacon in candy?! I do have to try this. It's too intriguing not to! Nice job with the disguise Earl!

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  20. bjSeptember 16, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    GOSH O'MIGHTY, GIRL...I can't stay up with you.
    This sounds like heaven on earth and I aim to try it...:))

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  21. The Single NesterSeptember 16, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Oh word! This is nasty! In a good way!

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  22. scrambledhenfruitSeptember 16, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    Everything's better with a little bacon added. :)

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  23. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Oh My! I saw the title of this post on my sidebar and HAD to check on Earl! Glad he's still alive and doing okay. Just keep that bacon brittle FAR away from him because that would be like cannibalism.

    I've got to admit at first glance bacon doesn't sound very appealing in candy, but when you think about it, they do sell bacon with maple and people have it with pancakes and syrup. This is just bacon and sweet in another form. Knowing me, I'd probably enjoy it.

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  24. GardenOfDaisiesSeptember 17, 2011 at 12:57 AM

    The first thing I thought when I saw this recipe was... "oh no, what does Earl think of this?" LOL, I love his incognito look. I think my nephew would love this! He is a baconaholic.

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  25. Mari @ Once Upon a PlateSeptember 17, 2011 at 1:43 AM

    Now that sounds downright, dangerously delicious! And Earl cracks me up!! So cute. xoxo

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  26. DearHelenHartmanSeptember 17, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    OMB - OH MY BACON! MY son is a bacon fanatic and always looking for new ways to use bacon in food (he has yet to perfect it in cookies - hint hint) so he will LOVE this. Me too once he makes it.

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  27. Pam KesslerSeptember 17, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    I'm going to put this in my Christmas candy file. This is going to be awesome at the family party!

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  28. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Lynn,
    I'll bet this is terrific. Like they say, anything with bacon has gotta taste better. Bacon/chocolate is a case in point.
    The brittle looks beautifully delicious!

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  29. SamanthaSeptember 17, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    I'm not sure how I feel about this! LOL!

    I did eat chocolate covered bacon, though.

    I'll test it out on the husband!

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  30. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    Sounds delish! I am going to TRY this!

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  31. LaSeptember 18, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    This sounds great. My dad would love it.

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  32. ShannonSeptember 19, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    My little guy (he just turned 6) swears that everything is better with bacon!

    Thanks for linking up with Friday Food on MomTrends.com!

    ~Shannon (Food Channel Editor @ MomTrends)

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  33. DiannSeptember 19, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    I bet this really is good! I am filing this away for a future try!

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  34. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2013 at 7:05 PM

    So gonna Pin this! Thanks, Lynn!

    ReplyDelete

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