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:
