Bacon Brittle ~ the super inventive treat that has everybody talking, and it’s made right in the microwave! This easy homemade candy is like nothing you’ve ever tasted!
I was playing around with bacon the other day and came up with a pretty neat idea…Bacon Brittle! I really thought I’d stumbled on a huge culinary discovery but google set me straight before I could get a swelled head. OK so a few people got there ahead of me, but this is still amazing stuff, and nice to know about right before the holidays hit. It would make a great little gift and it takes just minutes to make — in the microwave!
Remember my Microwave Peanut Brittle? Same idea here, only with bacon instead of peanuts. The brittle is glossy, super thin, and shatters the minute you bite down on it. Tastes like candied bacon, and that is GOOD, in case you’ve never had the pleasure.
I love this microwave method for making bacon brittle because you don’t require any messy pots on the stove, or candy thermometers, the microwave does all the work, you just set it and stir. I spread this brittle out thinner than my Peanut Brittle, which results in a shatteringly crisp texture. It doesn’t stick to your teeth, either, it’s fantastic.
notes:
- My microwave is a standard 1000 watts. I cooked the brittle on full power.
- Have everything ready to go before you begin — this is important because everything goes lightning fast once you start.
- There are 2 ways to do this, you can add the crumbled bacon with the butter, or with the soda. When you add it with the butter the bacon gets to cook with the molten sugar for a couple of minutes. It results in a more well-done flavor and color, which I like, but you run the risk of burning the bacon. You can also add the bacon at the end, when all of the cooking is done, with the baking soda, for a milder version. In this case make sure your bacon is nice and crisp.
I highly recommend bacon brittle to all you bacon lovers, and don’t forget your bacon-loving friends this holiday season!
Bacon Brittle
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb bacon, cooked until crisp, cooled, and chopped or crumbled, to make about 1 cup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 Tbsp butter
Instructions
- Set oven to its lowest setting.
- Get everything ready before you begin. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a Silpat baking mat or aluminum foil. If you have neither of those, lightly butter the pan itself. Set the pan in the oven to warm while you make the candy.
- Measure out 1 cup of crumbled bacon and set aside. Measure the butter and the baking soda and set aside. Butter a spatula or spreader and set aside. You will also need a spoon for stirring, I like to use a silicone spoonula.
- Put the sugar and corn syrup in a large microwave safe bowl and stir to combine.
- Microwave on high for 3 minutes, then remove and use silicone spoonula to stir well to combine. Microwave another 3 minutes and then add the butter and stir again.Microwave for 2 more minutes, then remove, stir in the bacon and baking soda.
- Immediately pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out thinly with a spatula. The warmth of the pan will give you a little time here, so smooth it out evenly and thinly.
- Let the brittle sit until completely cooled and set, about 30 minutes. Use a knife to crack the brittle into pieces.
Nutrition
This is one that I don’t think that I would have ever thought of. Bacon brittle, I do like the sweet and salty combination. I think that it sounds great.
Oh my GOODNESS, I need to make this. I LOVE bacon in sweets!
This is my kind of treat. Love the sweet and salty combination and of course, bacon makes everything better! 😉
Really? It is that easy? Put this on my list of things to do. Truthfully, I can never beat the web. But I never stop trying. Thank goodness you didn’t either!
Yeah. I made bacon brittle too and went through the same google shock and awe process as I figured out I wasn’t the first either. Yours is gorgeous though and it’s all yours! GREG http://www.sippitysup.com/sweet-potato-skins-with-chorizo-bacon-brittle-whos-a-pig-now/
I just had an email come to me yesterday, from a company that I subscribe to and saw Bacon Brittle. MY thought was, what will they think of next? Although it did intrigue me. Now I definitely have to try it.
This looks amazing! I have made PB cookies with bacon before, but this brings it to a whole other level! A question though…should this be stored in the fridge?
Well, I knew someone would ask that, and I’m debating the question…I think it would be fine for a couple of days at room temp, but after that I would refrigerate. I did an experiment and refrigerated some of it and it seemed fine, it didn’t get sticky or anything.
The stickiness was my concern also. Thanks for experimenting and providing such great recipes!
It didn’t seem to get sticky in the fridge, Katherine, so I’m hopeful. But in reality I think it should be eaten within the week, which shouldn’t be a problem 😉
My husband would love this!
My husband hates bacon, I’m the smart one in my family 😉
Bacon brittle?!! You win the interwebs. Really creative stuff. Really good stuff. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 😉
I bet this tastes wonderful! Sweet and salty – brilliant and beautiful Sue! Sharing!
Thanks Tricia — I know it doesn’t look glamorous, but it really is addictive!