Bacon Peanut Brittle

by

It’s truth time.

Truth: This post was meant for Father’s Day.

Truth: This post was meant for last Saturday.

Truth: I still hadn’t written it by Friday, and then the Hubster got home and I thought, “Well, I can post it first thing Sunday morning.”

Truth: I didn’t post it Sunday, either.

Truth: I told myself every night from last Thursday until last night, that I would finish it and “post it tomorrow,” then the Hubster and I would end up going exploring and find raspberries in our yard, or getting Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland, or tiny little kites that you tie to your finger (seriously…I told you it’s truth time).

Truth: When I told you yesterday on Facebook that I had food for you today, I still hadn’t written this post.

Truth: I’m writing this post at 9:06 am and as soon as I’m done I’ll hit publish. Then, I’m going to go do some more exploring with the Hubster and the kiddo.

Truth: I know you guys understand and forgive me, cause you’re totally amazing. But even if you didn’t, you will once you eat this, because it’s amazing, too!

I originally made this recipe after having the most delicious bacon peanut brittle at The Yellow Leaf Cupcake Co. in Seattle. Theirs was meaty and delicious and pretty much a heart attack on parchment paper…and OH. SO. WORTH. IT.

My one tiny little, itty bitty complaint was that it was technically brittle. It wasn’t really brittle in texture or consistency…it was really sort of just bacon held together by a light, soft candy coating.

I knew immediately that I wanted to recreate it, but I wanted it to be much more brittle like, so I made an actual brittle recipe and added bacon. It had too much brittle. I tried again, this time added twice as much bacon, and half as much brittle…perfect!

The result is a true brittle candy, the same basis for a perfect peanut brittle, but with all the meaty goodness that I had in Seattle, and topped with a sweet peanut butter drizzle, because…why not?

Aside from the task of making the candied bacon (which I think lends beautiful flavor to the end result), this was a quick, simple recipe, and it really was perfect for Father’s Day…….sooooooo……sorry about that. :) Who needs a special occasion for bacon brittle anyway?? Not me! Enjoy!

Bacon Peanut Brittle

Ingredients

FOR THE BRITTLE

1 pound sliced bacon, candied and chopped (about 16 slices)
1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (or margarine), softened
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

FOR THE DRIZZLE

2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoon heavy cream
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or a silpat mat.

In a medium sauce pan set over medium high heat, combine the sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, and water, and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Add the bacon and peanuts and stir well. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly until a candy thermometer reaches 300 degrees. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, cook the candy until a small amount dropped in cold water turns to hard, brittle threads.

Remove the mixture from the heat and immediately stir in the butter and baking soda, stirring quickly to combine it. Be careful here! The butter and soda will cause the hot candy to splutter a little and the candy will begin to foam and expand a bit. Fully incorporate the butter and soda before moving on.

Immediately pour the mixture onto your baking sheet, covering as much space as possible. Spread the brittle as thin as you like and score using a pizza wheel, if desired. Allow the candy to set up and cool completely before serving. Once cooled, break into pieces.

While the candy is cooling, make the drizzle: In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter and heavy cream. Stir until smooth and cohesive. Add the confectioners’ sugar and stir until well combined. Drizzle over cooled brittle.

Recipe by Darla

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Comments

  7. says

    Hey, good recipes are always great, regardless of when they are posted. It’s good to know that you and the family were able to have some quality time. :)

    It would never occur to me to mix brittle with bacon. I’m not sure I like it, but the photos sure make it look good. I might have to try it after all.

  8. says

    I… I have everything I need to make these except the heavy cream. Grocery day is tomorrow. Oh, gosh, I think something’s gonna happen.

    These look soooooo dangerous! But in a good way.

    Also, totally worth the wait. We all know you had catching up to do with hubby. :)

  14. says

    I’m so happy for you that your hubby is home! I’m in Korea right now visiting mine; as I tell him, the only good thing about being separated is coming together again!

    These look like the perfect treat to stick in his next care package. I just have to get over my fear of making candy!

    Oh, and by the way, I LOVE the mustache backdrop! ^.^

  16. says

    Yum – it looks delicious!!! I’m a bacon fiend… I can’t live without it! So glad to hear that you’re enjoying time with your family – it’s worth more than anything!

  19. says

    OMG, I didn’t even know you could DO this!
    My mind is swirling with the possibilities…..and the grocery list…..and how much time it’ll take me to get outa work and through the grocery store and get this made….

  24. says

    I can so relate to blogging laziness! LOL for some reason my life keeps getting in the way!!!
    Love the sound of this addictive treat. I’m pinning it now
    best, Sandie

  25. says

    This looked so fantastic it inspired me to make a batch of candied bacon caramel corn. Too delish! Your posts are always so wonderful, happy, and uplifting Darla that it’s totally ok to take a break once in awhile and find some time for yourself and the Hubster! Enjoy!

  27. says

    What a delicious creation – I’m featuring this in today’s Food Fetish Friday (with a link-back and attribution). I hope you have no objections and I always love dropping by to see what you’ve created…

  29. says

    Ha ha ha that sounds just like me. Ok, I’m going to post this today, oooh honey wants to go shopping. I’ll post tomorrow. tomorrow, oh hey my friend wants to go shopping. I’ll post tonight. hee hee
    mmmVooDoo donut. Make sure you hit up Saint Cupcake too. I like to walk up there on my lunch break and grab a dot sometimes. I try not to go every day :)

  31. Stefanie says

    Thank you for this recipe! Bought the bacon brittle at Pike Market from BB Ranch/Yellow Cupcake; it WAS tasty but found myself thinking the same thing…can’t wait to try making your twist on it for my dad’s bday – MY ‘truth’ is that the aforementioned purchase was MEANT for him…glad I ‘tested’ it first ;)

  32. Jen says

    Ok I just made a trial run! First, I cut the recipe in half and possibly messed up the proportions (I did use a nifty website to get the measurements right-food.unl.edu). A couple things to change: watch the pepper, it intensifies as the mixture cooks, and reduce the bacon amount just a bit and dice it small. My taste tester felt the peanuts should be the star bc the bacon overtakes the brittle, candy aspect. Although tasty, he wished it had more crunchy brittle surrounding all the good peanut/ bacon bits.
    Next time I will use less pepper and bacon (the candied bacon is heaven all by itself), and increase the candied components to have a more traditional bite of brittle. Worth a second go round for sure!!!

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