Pig Candy, Three Ways

Pig Candy is a time consuming labor of love to make, but the rewards are well worth it if you've the time to invest.

Today I made it Three Ways, Plain Candy (1.5lbs) , Candy w/Cayenne (1.5lbs) and Chocolate with Nuts/Salt (1lb).

I've made Pig Candy several times before and I think I've finally have it down, these batches had the hard, crunchy, candy glaze that I've been striving for.
My favorite SiL is staying with us through Christmas and she loves the stuff as much as I do, so needing no further excuse it was time to get it in gear.


Ingredients
4lbs Bacon, thickest cut you can find
1L Pure Maple Syrup
2lbs Brown Sugar
1C Melting/Dipping Chocolate

1T Sea Salt, coarse
1/2C Pecans, crushed
1T Cayenne, powdered


https://i.imgur.com/vo0ZOep.jpg



Dip a slice of bacon in Maple Syrup and let excess run off
Dredge in Brown Sugar, coat the bacon very generously
Lay on rack and smoke at 350°-375° till the bacon is obviously rendered and the candy glaze is well caramelized, approx 45min to 1 hour

Remove and place on cooling rack for glaze to dry, add cayenne or black pepper to taste

When fully cooled you can coat with chocolate and add nuts and/or salt as desired


https://i.imgur.com/Ehv5dyI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/01BuqyY.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/x2eImJ6.jpg

Now I started this cook at 1100am, and it took about five hours to complete the four batches.
This meant a good lunch was needed to fuel my efforts, so I grilled up some Ribeyes, onions and jalapenos.


https://i.imgur.com/jzUCnRB.jpg

Aaaah, the first batch hits the cooling rack and gets dusted with cayenne!


https://i.imgur.com/MvmnXUb.jpg


The Plain and Cayenne piled up


https://i.imgur.com/OQ5DbWK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/z4bzFMZ.jpg


The Chocolate with Nuts/Salt


https://i.imgur.com/9mS4E8u.jpg

That's awesome, What wood did you use for the smoke,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jollymon

That's awesome, What wood did you use for the smoke,

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It got a little leftover Apple and Cherry mixed together.

How did you get the semi choc stay on till it melts? Does it stick on to the maple.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by daniel9829

How did you get the semi choc stay on till it melts? Does it stick on to the maple.

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You melt the chocolate and then brush it on once the candied bacon is cool.

Chile: I always enjoy your food-porn!! I spent $1,500 just for candied bacon (or so I'm told) last year at one of my daughter's weddings. It was great, but yours looks even better.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=6962&stc=1

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Philip Sommers

Chile: I always enjoy your food-porn!! I spent $1,500 just for candied bacon (or so I'm told) last year at one of my daughter's weddings. It was great, but yours looks even better.

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Thank you for the compliments.... [Blushing]
I've put some trial and error, along with a lot of love into my Pig Candy.

Congrats on the new Son(s).

I figure if I was going to charge for it, it'd be no less than $50. per pound, probably more like $75.lb once I got tired of it... Which would be the first day.
It's that laborious and time consuming.