February 12, 2015

Naughty Candied Bacon and Spiced Pecan Chocolate

Valentine’s Day is time to evoke our inner temptress, to bring forth the powers of seduction.

It’s definitely the time to be naughty over nice, and to do something utterly decadent that you wouldn’t even have dreamed about where it any other day.

So, in honour of my meat-loving fellow, this has manifested in the form of candied bacon and spiced pecan chocolate!

This recipe is for those who love a salty-meets-sweet combination, like pancakes with maple syrup and bacon, and chocolate-covered potato crisps.

This is the ultimate naughty meets nice treat. We’re using coconut sugar and coconut nectar, which gives it a caramel-like sweetness that works so beautifully with the cayenne spiced pecans. Then we’ve also got some candied bacon, which gives it that smoky flavour that makes this oh so sexy and irresistible! Each bite it met with a with a crunchy smokiness with a hint of spice, balancing out the sweetness from the chocolate.

It’s refined sugar free, dairy free, and paleo, so even though you’ll be having a raunchy treat it won’t leave you feeling all icky and heavy afterwards!

I’m not usually one for suggesting bacon, but heck, if there was a time for it then this is it! As I’ve said before, I believe in finding balance, and if having a little bit of bacon on this Valentine’s Day will keep you happy, then I say let’s do it.

Now, when buying your bacon for this look for free range, sugar- and nitrate-free bacon. You’d be surprised how many brands add loads of sugar to their bacon. Try and get the best bacon your budget will allow here.

For my beautiful vegan warriors, I hear you. I’ve got an option for vegan free by subbing for coconut bacon or you could leave it out all together. It’ll taste awesome with just the chocolate and pecans.

Naughty Candied Bacon and Spiced Pecan Chocolate

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A super rich, decadent, and downright naughty chocolate that is the perfect Valentine's Day treat! Refined sugar free, dairy free, and paleo this won't leave you feeling weighed down but will definitely give you that indulgence you're after!

Author: Teffy Perk

Recipe type: Dessert, Treat, Chocolate

Cuisine: Paleo

Serves: 1 large bark

Ingredients

For the Candied Bacon

4 bacon rashers
1½ tablespoons coconut sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon

For the Spiced Pecan

75g of my Cayenne Sweet and Spiced Pecans (recipe link below)

For the Chocolate

165g cacao butter
70g raw cacao powder
70ml coconut syrup (or maple syrup)

Extra Toppings

Sprinkle of pink himalayan or sea salt
2 tablespoons of cacao nibs

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 175ºC/350ºF and line a baking tray with some aluminium before placing a grill rack on top (trust me, saves on cleaning up).
Mix your coconut sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and rub onto both sides of your bacon. Place them on the grill rack slightly far apart from each other. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes, turning them once halfway through. Remove from the oven and let cool (this is when it’ll start to get crispy, as it cools!)
When your bacon is cool, chop it into pieces and set aside.
As your bacon cooks, melt your cacao butter in a heat-proof bowl over some boiling water. Make sure no water gets into the bowl with the cacao! When it’s fully melted, remove from the heat and stir in your cacao and maple syrup. Allow it to sit at room temperature for a little bit while it thickens. You want it to be slightly runny still but not pure liquid.
Line a baking tray with some baking parchment and pour your chocolate mixture on top. Top with the bacon pieces, pecans, and cacao nibs.
Sprinkle some salt and place in the fridge for 2 hours.
Remove once set, cut it up (you don’t have to be precise here, I just use my hands!) and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notes

VEGAN - omit bacon (obvs) and sub for coconut bacon chips.