Monday, September 29, 2014

Caramel Chocolate Bacon Maple Bars



I had to make a late-night run to the grocery store on Saturday night. We were out of milk, and my family doesn't think they can survive a Sunday morning without milk. I don't know what got into me, but when I saw Rolos, a maple cookie mix, and remembered the bacon I had bought earlier in the week at home, I decided to make this treat.

I made my first batch into cookies. They turned out very, very good, and I photographed them to put here on the blog. We gave a bunch of them away to friends, so I told my poor, neglected family I'd make another batch. I was sick of being in the kitchen by this time, so I made this batch into bars. The bars were INCREDIBLE. A superior creature. The way this recipe was meant to be baked.


See that pocket of caramel there on the upper right side of the bar. Mmmm... The caramel in Rolos doesn't get too runny, but it is spreadable when heated. And it sets up well as it cools. Perfect.



Bacon looks more and more normal on there the longer you look. :)

Caramel Chocolate Bacon Maple Bars
Makes one 9x13 inch pan

Ingredients:
1.5 sticks butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons maple extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
30 Rolos, unwrapped and cut in half
6 pieces of bacon, cooked and torn/cut into small pieces

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°.  Prepare a 9"x13" baking dish with cooking spray or parchment paper. 
2. Beat butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. I used my KitchenAid with the paddle attachment. Add the egg and extracts and beat well.
3. Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, then add to the wet mixture. Stir well. 
4. Press evenly into prepared dish (it will be thick). Be sure to press it all the way to the corners. *Cold water on your fingers will help keep the dough from sticking to your hands as you spread it in the dish.
5. Place in center of oven and bake 15 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven, place halved Rolos all over the top of the bars, and return to oven for 2 minutes.
7. Spread the melted Rolos over the bars. Sprinkle evenly with bacon, pressing pieces gently into the melted chocolate/caramel. 
8. Cool and cut into bars. 





Partying at:

14 comments:

  1. Those look amazing! Definitely going to try these out! Thanks for the recipe :)

    http://madnessbymeg.blogspot.ie/

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  2. I recently discovered the idea of adding bacon to sweet treats. My favorite so far is maple bacon donuts! Thanks for sharing this with Hump Day Happenings.

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  3. This looks like a winner! I love the sweet and salty flavors together. :)

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  4. Oh my I love the addition of BACON in your sweet treats. Yum. I would be honored if you would stop by and share at Foodie Fridays where I am co-hosting going on now. Hope to see you and your fabulous recipe soon.
    Blessings,
    Shari
    ps, I would be remiss if I didn't say G'day!

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    1. Thanks for sharing your fabulous recipe with us this week at Foodie Fridays. Hope to see you again this week. I'm sure you'll be cooking up something delicious!
      Blessings,
      Shari

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  5. I need to try this! My collage age boys would love this!

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  6. MMM Maple, Bacon and Rolos what could be any better?! Sounds like the best midnight grocery run I could dream of! Thank you so much for linking up to Creative K Kids Tasty Tuesdays. I'll be pinning this to the Tasty Tuesdays board. Hope to see you next week!!

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  7. Found this at the #SayG'day Link up. Looks like something my son would love! Pinned

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  8. OMG, these look so good! Thanks for a cool new recipe!

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  9. Thanks so much for linking up to Teach Me Tuesday last week. We hope to see you again there this week. Our party would not be such a growing success without you :)

    Have a great week!

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  10. I've never tried adding bacon to a sweet treat before, but I love salty with sweet, so I have a feeling I would like it! Thanks so much for linking it up with us at Foodie Fridays!! Sharing! Hope we will see you again this week. :)

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  11. I know that the whole sweet and savory thing works, but I have never tried bacon and chocolate. I guess there is a first time for everything!!

    Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Monday link party on Smart Party Planning.

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  12. I dont think I have ever been so in love with a recipe! Stopping by from LiveRandomlySimple Totally Terrific Tuesday Link Up Party! Thanks for linking up last week! Party is NOW live, hope you can make it back and link up some more awesome content!!
    Jess

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