Man Candy: Candied Bacon and Nuts

Method12 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. 2

   Step 2: Line a baking tray with baking paper (parchment); the paper is needed to keep the candy from sticking.

3. 3

   Step 3: Remove any rind from the six bacon slices and cut them into 1.5 cm (0.6-inch) pieces.

   Uses 6 slices centre-cut or middle bacon, about 200 g

4. 4

   Step 4: Put all the chopped bacon from step 3 in a bowl. Add its ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon paprika, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne, the zest of one lemon, pinch of salt and three grinds of black pepper (3). Toss with your fingers to coat evenly.

   Uses chopped bacon · ¼ cup brown sugar for the bacon · ½ tsp paprika for the bacon · ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper for the bacon · Zest of 1 lemon · 1 pinch salt for the bacon · 3 grinds black pepper for the bacon

5. 5

   Step 5: In a separate bowl, toss the pecans (1 cup) and walnuts (1 cup) with the nuts’ ¼ cup brown sugar, maple syrup (2 tbsp), pumpkin pie spice (1 tsp), ½ teaspoon paprika, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper and three additional grinds of black pepper.

   Uses 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped · 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped · ¼ cup brown sugar for the nuts · 2 tbsp maple syrup · 1 tsp ready pumpkin pie spice · ½ tsp paprika for the nuts · ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper for the nuts · ⅛ tsp ground black pepper for the nuts

6. 6

   Step 6: Spread all the coated bacon from step 4 over the lined tray. Bake for about 10 minutes, until the sugar bubbles and the bacon is starting to brown; it will finish cooking with the nuts.

   Initial bacon bake · 10 minUses sugar-and-spice-coated bacon

7. 7

   Step 7: Lift all the partly cooked bacon from step 6 with a slotted spatula, leaving excess rendered fat on the tray. Add it to the nut mixture from step 5 and toss to combine.

   Uses All partly cooked bacon, lifted from the tray · seasoned nut mixture

8. 8

   Step 8: Scrape and pour the excess rendered fat off the parchment into a heatproof container for disposal, leaving the paper on the tray.

   Uses Excess rendered fat remaining on the lined tray

9. 9

   Step 9: Spread all the combined bacon and nuts from step 7 onto the drained, lined tray. Bake for about 7½ minutes, then stir the mixture in step 10.

   Bacon and nuts, before stirring · 8 minUses combined bacon-and-nut mixture

10. 10

    Step 10: Stir all the partly baked bacon and nuts from step 9, then bake for about another 7½ minutes, until the bacon is cooked through and the coating is bubbling.

    Bacon and nuts, finish after stirring · 8 minUses partly baked bacon-and-nut candy

11. 11

    Step 11: Turn the oven off and open its door slightly. Leave the tray of baked candy from step 10 inside for at least 15 minutes, then take it out and let the candy cool.

    Rest in switched-off oven · 15 minUses baked bacon-and-nut candy

12. 12

    Step 12: Break the cooled candy from step 11 into chunks. Serve, or promptly refrigerate it in an airtight container once cool.

    Uses cooled bacon-and-nut candy