Maple Bacon S’mores

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Brandon Matzek
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So, I’m not really one to get wrapped up in the whole March Madness thing.  I put together a bracket once in college, but haven’t attempted one since.  I guess I’m just not that excited about basketball.  Marsh Madness is an entirely different story.  When Quirk Books asked me if I wanted to compete against 15 other bloggers in a marshmallow making contest, I was like, “Uhhhh… … … Yeah!”  Making homemade marshmallows has been on my foodie to-do list for a while now, so I jumped at the chance to participate in the competition.  I was tasked to prepare some sort of marshmallow creation based upon the original vanilla recipe found in Shauna Sever’s Marshmallow Madness.  Continue reading to see what I came up with.  Also, I’m giving away 3 copies of Marshmallow Madness.  Details below.

Of the many variations on vanilla marshmallows found in Shauna’s book, one in particular really spoke to me.  Maple.  Bacon.  Yes, that’s right.  A maple flavored marshmallow studded with salty-sweet bits of candied bacon.  Yum.

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To make this recipe my own, I decided to blow torch the marshmallows till caramelized, top with bittersweet chocolate then sandwich between two honey-sweet, homemade graham crackers.  Aka. Maple Bacon S’mores.  I’ve always enjoyed the combination of bacon and chocolate, so this pairing seemed natural to me.  Sprinkled with raw sugar and smoked sea salt, my homemade graham crackers accent the flavors of the mallow while providing a most satisfying, buttery crunch.  This project may seem a bit in depth, but I urge to spend some time on a weekend putting together these whimsical confections.  You won’t be sorry.

A few notes on making marshmallows.  I found the process fairly easy; however, some special equipment is needed.  Before attempting this recipe, be sure you have a candy thermometer and a stand mixer.    Also, the marshmallows require a 6 hour rest period, so plan your time accordingly.  I prepared my mallows in the evening then finished them off the next morning.

Continue on for the recipe and giveaway.

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Quirk Books has graciously given me 3 copies of Marshmallow Madness to give away to Kitchen Konfidence readers!

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To enter you can do one or all of the following:

1.  Leave me a comment below sharing your favorite treat that has marshmallows in it.

2.  Like Kitchen Konfidence on Facebook. [leave a separate comment below for entry]

3.  Subscribe to the Kitchen Konfidence recipe digest. [leave a separate comment below for entry]

I will be collecting entries until 11:59pm on February 26, 2012.  Winners will be selected and announced shortly after.  For US residents only.  Good luck!  Continue on for the recipe.

spacer I couldn’t resist taking a bite.  So, so delicious.

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Maple Bacon S’mores
4.8 from 9 reviews
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Recipe type: Dessert
Author: Brandon Matzek
Serves: 1 dozen big s’mores or 2 dozen small s’mores
Adapted from here.
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, divided (1/8 for bacon, 1/8 for marshmallows)
  • 6 slices hickory smoked bacon
  • Unflavored cooking spray
  • 4 1/2 teaspoons unflavored powdered gelatin
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 2/3 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup (use the high quality stuff here)
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup water (filtered or bottled preferably)
  • 1/3 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/3 cup corn starch
  • Graham crackers, for serving (preferably homemade)
  • Bittersweet chocolate, for serving
Instructions
  1. Start by making candied bacon. Preheat your oven to 350°F and place a rack in the center of the oven. Combine light brown sugar and 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon on a plate, using your hands to mix. Rub each slice of bacon with cinnamon sugar until evenly coated. Lay strips of bacon on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until deeply caramelized. Let cool then finely chop. Measure out 1/2 cup (1 1/2 oz.) for the marshmallows and set aside. Save remainder for snacking.
  2. Lightly coat a 8 by 8 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Use a paper towel to wipe away any excess spray.
  3. Combine gelatin and cold water in a small bowl, whisking to combine. Let stand for at least 5 minutes.
  4. In a medium saucepan, combine white sugar, maple syrup, corn syrup, water and sea salt, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Continue to boil until the mixture reaches 240°F. If the mixture starts to bubble up too much, lower the heat. Once the mixture reaches 240°F, take it off the heat.
  5. Microwave the gelatin on high for 30 seconds. Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on low for a moment then slowly pour in the hot syrup mixture. Increase the speed to medium (number six on my mixer) and beat for 5 minutes. Increase the speed to medium-high (number eight) and beat for 3 minutes. Add 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon then beat on the highest speed possible (number ten) for 1 minute.
  6. Using a silicon spatula, quickly fold in the candied bacon bits. Pour the marshmallow into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. In a small bowl, combine confectioner’s sugar and corn starch, whisking to combine. Sift a few spoonfuls of the sugar-starch mixture evenly over the marshmallow. Set aside the rest of the sugar-starch mixture to use once the marshmallows are cut.
  7. Let the marshmallow set for at least 6 hours in a cool, dry place. Run a sharp knife along the edges of the pan to release the marshmallow. Invert onto a cutting board. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the slab (I used a 2 1/2 inch round) or use a sharp knife to cut the slab into even pieces. Finish by dusting each piece with the sugar-starch mixture. I found the easiest way to do this was to put the cut marshmallows in a medium mesh basket strainer (see picture above) set over the bowl containing the sugar-starch mixture. Sprinkle with the pieces with the mixture then use your hands to toss. Repeated until marshmallows are evenly coated.
  8. To serve, roast marshmallows over an open flame or carefully caramelize with a blow torch. Top with a piece of bittersweet chocolate then sandwich between two graham crackers.
2.2.1

 

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This entry was posted in Dessert, Photo, Pork, Recipe and tagged bacon, cinnamon, confectioners' sugar, corn starch, corn syrup, gelatin, light brown sugar, maple syrup, sea salt, sugar. Bookmark the permalink.

86 Responses to Maple Bacon S’mores

  1. 1
    Homemade Graham Crackers says:
    February 21, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    [...] Contact stLight.options({publisher:'wp.dff0578a-b48c-4715-85be-2ef6693b35cb'}); ← Bacon and Tomato Guacamole Maple Bacon S’mores → [...]

    Reply
  2. 2
    Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says:
    February 21, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    Brandon your marshmallows turned out amazing! And the graham crackers look perfect, too! What a creative idea (bacon) and the little stacks are just…perfect.

    You make for very stiff competition in this little March Madness contest spacer

    Reply
    • 2.1
      Brandon Matzek says:
      February 22, 2012 at 10:47 pm

      Haha thanks Averie!!

      Reply
  3. 3
    Christine says:
    February 21, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    I’m fairly certain THIS would be my favorite recipe with marshmallow in it! spacer

    Reply
  4. 4
    Jorge says:
    February 21, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    Maple, Bacon, Chocolate and Graham Crackers? This just screams flavor explosion. spacer Good luck in the contest!

    Reply
    • 4.1
      Brandon Matzek says:
      February 22, 2012 at 10:48 pm

      Thanks Jorge spacer

      Reply
  5. 5
    Cristina says:
    February 21, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    You really kicked it up by adding the bacon to the smores! Beautifully done…they look so delicious and fantastic presentation. spacer

    Reply
  6. 6
    Jim Kershaw says:
    February 21, 2012 at 5:28 pm

    Wow – those look AMAZING.

    For my “entry” does it get better than a Peanut Butter Banana and Marshmallow Sandwich? Imagine that with Maple Chocolate Bacon Marshmallows!

    Yes Please.

    Reply
    • 6.1
      Brandon Matzek says:
      February 22, 2012 at 10:49 pm

      That sounds like a delicious combination!

      Reply
  7. 7
    Ami B says:
    February 21, 2012 at 5:58 pm

    Smores rock, but bacon is awesome so this would have to be one of the best receipes I’ve seen.

    Reply
  8. 8
    Allie says:
    February 21, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    These look AMAZING. Great job!

    Reply
  9. 9
    Jacey says:
    February 21, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    Oh. These look incredible! I just got a bacon chocolate bar in a gift package this week, and I’ve been savoring it. Adding marshmallow into the mix would be even better! I would definitely choose s’mores as my favorite marshmallow treat. I hope to have s’mores cupcakes for my birthday this year!

    Reply
    • 9.1
      Brandon Matzek says:
      February 22, 2012 at 10:49 pm

      Nice! Yeah I love bacon chocolate bars.

      Reply
  10. 10
    AmberLu says:
    February 22, 2012 at 2:58 am

    The classic S’more has always been my favorite marshmallow goody. However, your recipe looks absolutely Ah-mazing!!! I have been wanting to make homemade ‘mallows for awhile, myself. You just shoved me a little bit further down the do-er line. spacer

    Reply
  11. 11
    amy marantino says:
    February 22, 2012 at 2:53 pm

    i like krispy treats made with cinnamon

    Reply
  12. 12
    Michael says:
    February 22, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    My favorites are either homemade hot chocolate & marshmallows or asian spiced rice crispy treats with homemade marshmallows, ginger, black, and white sesame seeds.

    Reply
    • 12.1