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I know I know I know, I’ve been holding out you folks on the Man Candy recipes. It’s funny how a single basic ingredient, bacon, can literally go viral globally. Ever since introducing the Man Candy series I have lost count on how many millions of hits these recipes have had. These Man Candy recipes have been featured on countless websites, tv shows, blogs, food shows. You’ve tweeted, pinned, stumbled upon, googled and fell in love. Bacon lovers united, held hands (well okay just a single hand as the other was needed to stuff this amazing Man Candy Bacon in your mouth! LOL) and praised me for these things. Men wept in joy, dogs offered up their favorite bones in exchange for a piece and a statue was erected in my honor. Okay so fine, that stuff may not be true but men did weep. LOL
Just look at how damn sexy she is…
So I had been doing a ton of cooking with bourbon lately. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE bourbon with pork and chicken. It mellows and sweetens so beautifully. Now this recipe came about while I was making breakfast for Mr. Fantabulous. See while the man says he doesn’t like bacon (big fat fib there by the way!), he “requires” bacon with this breakfast every Saturday and Sunday morning. As I was cooking his bacon I was cleaning off my counter top. As I was wiping it all down, I picked up the bottle of bourbon (as I made bourbon glazed chicken the night before) and ‘heard’ the bacon sizzle. And just like clockwork, the eye brow got raised (I went into thinking mode), the wheels starting churning and away I went.
This recipe just seemed to create itself. It was as if the ingredients had a pow-wow and said “Okay troops, gather round.. it’s time to party on the bacon boat!” This baked up so amazing that literally I had to make 2 batches that day because we inhaled the first batch. Now to be fair the ‘we’ wasn’t just Mr. Fantabulous and I. We had company pop over and literally as soon as they walked in the door the first comment was “OHHHHHHHHH you have BACON!!!” LOL Yes, bacon is that magical!
Now I’ve made this recipe a ton of times and want an awesome trick with this recipe specifically? Coat one side of the bacon and wrap it around boneless chicken strips and bake! OMG! No seriously, O M G!!! I basted it a couple more times while the chicken baked. The flavor this infused into it was probably some of the best chicken I had ever had! Bacon and bourbon?! Dude, for real! This stuff is legit!
… you’re welcome <curtsey> LOL
Bourbon Brown Sugar Maple Bacon Man Candy IV
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Ingredients
- 1 lb bacon (I prefer thick cut)
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 ounces Bourbon
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place a wire cooling rack on top.
- Spray the rack with cooking spray. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add the brown sugar, bourbon, and maple syrup. Cook, stirring often until the mixture is reduced and because a thick syrup/glaze. ~about 15-30 minutes. Watch the heat so it doesn’t burn. If it starts to reduce too quickly, you should reduce the heat. Keep it warm once it’s reduced.
- Place the pieces of bacon on top of the rack trying not to overlap. Spoon or brush the syrup on top of the bacon. Place in oven and cook for 13 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip the bacon. Spoon or brush the mixture on top of the bacon. Return to the oven and cook for 13 minutes.
- If the bacon is not crispy enough (remember it’ll crisp up as it cools), flip the bacon over, spoon any remaining spice mixture and bake for a few more minutes. OR you can broil for 1 minute each side but watch as this will burn.
- Remove from the oven, allow to cool 1 minute on the rack and then using cooking tongs, and remove the bacon from the rack and plate.
gonna try ASAP! We love bacon, bourbon, syrup, yum, yum.
Made this yesterday and there’s not much left. Lol everyone loved it. Thanks for the recipe
I don’t have bourbon can I use anything else as a substitute
I would go with a tsp of vanilla extract in lieu of bourbon or visit the other “Man candy” bacon recipes I have on here.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Hi Lori, I want to to do a big batch to use on a wedding dessert table. I want to individually wrap them for grab and go. When you do yours, what is the longest time between cooking and serving? Same day? Day before? Don’t want to make anyone sick. Afraid Refrigeration will alter taste and consistency. Once individually wrapped I won’t be able to reheat. Please advise 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Indra,
My suggestion is to have it all made and then kept warm in a roaster or the like. Then have someone man the roaster and package the items as folks leave. OR have the catering place (assuming you have one) place them wrapped individually on a warming tray.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Hello, I would love to make this recipe, but can you tell me what kind of Bourbon is best to use? I do not drink Bourbon so have no clue of the different tastes and want it to turn out delicious! Thanks for any advice.
It probably doesn’t matter for cooking, but Evan Williams Bourbon hits the sweet spot of high quality and reasonable price.
When I went to put the syrup/glaze on the bacon, it crystallized into shards of thin candy as soon as it hit the bacon. Couldn’t go on with the recipe. Any idea what I did wrong. Ingredients and proportions of the glaze were right and I reduced the mixture for 15 minutes, stirring constantly. I’ve made other bacon candy recipes before with no problems, but thought I’d try this one.
Hi Joe!
It sounds like the flame/heat might have been up a bit too high and it cooked faster taking it to a crack hard candy stage. That’s honestly the only thing I can think of why yours did that as I’ve never had that happen unless I’m making actual hard candy.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
I’ve made this literally 100 times! This is what I am told to bring for every get-together EVER. I spice it up a little with Black Cherry Bourbon, a little Cayenne pepper and Chipotle pepper (a little goes a long way) brings a little heat with the sweet and perfection. I make it at about 8-10 lbs at a time.
I never comment, but SOLD! My kiddo is serving overseas and he’s on about bourbon burgers. No recipe or burger mail. He’ll love me forevah with this, though.
How long prior to serving can you make this? I’ve been eyeing similar recipses forever. Any pre-cook, storage tips are welcomed!!
Hi Katherine!
You can make up to 3 days ahead. Store in the fridge. To serve you can reheat at 350 for about 5 minutes.
Best Kitchen Wishes!