Man Candy (Candied Bacon & Nuts)

By msippigrl

Spicy, candied pecans and walnuts.. and B-A-C-O-N !

Ingredients

• CANDIED NUTS:
• 1 cup pecans, halves or large pecans
• 1 cup walnuts, large pieces
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
• 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Pinch of salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or freshly cracked to taste
• CANDIED BACON:
• 6 to 8 slices lean, thick-cut bacon, chopped in 3/4-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Zest of 1 lemon, grated (2 teaspoons)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Details

Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 40mins

Preparation

Step 1

Prepare the nuts:

In a mixing bowl, stir together all the Candied Nuts ingredients EXCEPT for the pecans and walnuts; add the pecans and walnuts and stir until coated. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.

Prepare the bacon:

Place the chopped bacon in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. (I chopped it with kitchen shears.) Place in oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until bacon is about two-thirds done and fat is rendered. Remove bacon with a slotted spatula to paper towels to drain. Remove foil from baking sheet, then line it with parchment paper.

Meanwhile, in another bowl, stir together the Candied Bacon ingredients (excluding the cooked bacon); stir in cooked bacon until coated. Add the bacon mixture to the nut mixture, stirring together lightly.

Spread the mixture evenly onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly and bacon is done. (After it came out of the oven, I used a thin metal spatula to flip the mixture over to evenly distribute the glaze.)

Cool in pan on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.