Fudgy Bacon Brownies w/ Nutella

After that healthy, but delicious granola post, I just felt right to post this. Because we need balance in life, you know. And bacon. We need bacon.

Yes. I finally went and did it. Something I thought I would never do. I went and put bacon in dessert. And man, oh man! No regrets whatsoever. Since it was my first time, there is some room for improvement, and if you let me, I want to share what my experiences were.

It all started when some friends & I planned to have a pot-luck dinner. Not just any pot-luck dinner. Bacon Fest! What fun! I decided right away to do a main & a dessert, but what dessert? Bacon pie? Bacon Ice cream (I almost did)? Bacon on some sort of pie? Finally, I settled on Bacon Brownies. I don't know why, but that sounded the best. Better than Bacon Clafouti. Bacon Brownies.

I hunted high and low for a good brownie base recipe, but I finally came back to my most trusted Brownie recipe. Even if you skip the bacon, I suggest you make this recipe, especially if you like fudge. This recipe makes the moistest, fudgiest brownies ever!

Now, for my honest feedback. The recipe really worked, but I guess the bacon was too crispy and the chocolate overpowered the bacon in the batter, and the Nutella overpowered the bacon sprinkles. That was pretty sad. We still tasted the bacon, but it was not as strong as we would have liked it.

There were 2 squares left after dinner, which I put in the fridge. Made sense with the meat topping. The next morning, I helped myself to a square for breakfast. Yes. For breakfast. Bacon is a breakfast food, you know! Don't judge me. Anyhoo, I took a bite of the brownie and lo and behold, there was bacon. I could really taste it. I guess the chocolate flavor wasn't as strong when it was cold, and I could really, really taste the bacon. IT.WAS.SO.GOOD! It was like eating the yummiest piece of bacon-flavored fudge. Doesn't that sound good? Bacon flavored fudge. Mmmmm!

Next time I make this recipe, and yes there most definitely will be a next time, I will double the bacon, cook it a little less, chop the bacon into larger pieces, and skip the Nutella. And the time after that, I will try Bacon Blondies! My journey with bacon has just begun.

Here is my recipe:

Bacon Nutella Fudge Brownies

Ingredients

3/4 cup unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups sugar  

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder  

1/2 tsp vanilla 

3 medium eggs, cold

1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour

1/2 cup finely chopped, toasted walnuts

8 strips of bacon

3-4 tbsp Nutella

Method 

1. Cook the bacon strips to the desired level of done-ness. Chop into approximately 1/2 squares. Set aside on a paper towel.
2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter, and turn off the stove. Let the butter cool slightly.
3. Add the sugar, sifted cocoa powder, vanilla extract, salt and water. Stir well until completely blended and smooth. Let this cool for 5 minutes.
4. Add the eggs one at a time into the mixture, beating well after each addition.
5. Beat well for 5 minutes until the batter is smooth, glossy and thick.
6. Add the flour and stir well to blend, and continue to beat the batter for another 3 minutes.
7. Stir in the chopped walnuts, and 3/4 of the bacon bits. Reserve the remaining bacon.
8. Grease and flour a square baking tray. Pour the batter in and spread it evenly, making sure the top is nice and smooth.
9. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, but with a few wet crumbs sticking to it.
10. Let it cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Cut into nine even squares, and lift out of the tray.
11. Frost each square with a thin layer of Nutella, and sprinkle with reserved bacon bits.
12. Serve warm or cold. Cold is good.

This is the recipe I used. You could add more bacon or keep it the same way. But either way, you will not regret making this.

Bacon fest was a great success. On the menu, bacon wrapped sausages with apple, buttery cornbread, bacon & caramelized onion pizza, potato wedges, and of course, the Nutella bacon brownies. What a spread it was! I wish I had pictures to share, but nobody even stopped to whip out a camera. We were all enjoying our food too much. And let me tell you, it was goooooooooood! :)

Technorati Tags: Brownies, Bacon, Nutella, Recipe