Bacon and Chocolate
Despite all signs to the contrary, I’d like to think I eat in a fairly balanced manner. Cake days get offset by salad days. Always featured at the dinner table are a good dose of vegetables, to counteract my sixth essential food group : ice-cream. However, I was left wondering today if there was anything that could possibly balance bacon in a brownie.
That’s when I decided that there are some things in life you just have to accept as being essential experiences. In other words, give in to the fun. I’m speaking of fish and chips wrapped in newspaper, eaten on the beach. Blowing bubbles into a chocolate milkshake, even though your mom has told you to stop playing with your food for-the-tenth-time. Eating a butter-fried croque madame without cutlery. Putting your ear to a bowl of rice bubbles containing freshly poured milk.
To that list, I’m adding bacon brownies. Eat bacon brownies in the comfort of your own home. With your feet tucked under a blanket. Eat it and marvel at how well the combination works. Savour the rich, moist, dark chocolate and the crispy, salty bacon. Forget those words that fill the mind with doubt and catch in the throat like a solitary dry rice cake. Words like chol-es-ter-ol, and once-on-your-lips-forever-on-your-hips.
Think instead : At least my feet won’t look fat in this. My handbag is still going to fit. Now I can finally get the most value out of my gym membership. Here’s something I won’t feel guilty about not sharing with my vegetarian friends.
If you’re not a fan of bacon, you should still make this anyway, sans bacon. It is a superlative brownie, and according to the authors of Baked, this brownie has not only been featured in O magazine, but has also been awarded “best brownie” by America’s Test Kitchen and the Today show.
The Baked Brownie :
(yields 24 brownies; recipe from Baked by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito)
1 1/4 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons dark unsweetened cocoa powder
311g dark chocolate (60 – 72% cacao), coarsely chopped [I used Lindt 70%]
226g unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1 1/2 cups caster sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
5 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 176’C. Butter the sides and bottom of a 9-by-13-inch glass or light-colored metal baking pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt and cocoa powder together.
Put the chocolate, butter, and instant espresso powder in a large bowl and set it over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and smooth. Turn off the heat, but keep the bowl over the water and add the sugars. Whisk until completely combined, then remove the bowl from the pan. The mixture should be room temperature.
Add 3 eggs to the chocolate mixture and whisk until combined. Add the remaining eggs and whisk until combined. Add the vanilla and stir until combined. Do not overbeat the batter at this stage or your brownies will be cakey.
Sprinkle the flour mixture over the chocolate mixture. Using a spatula (not a whisk), fold the flour mixture into the chocolate until just a bit of the flour mixture is visible.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the center of the oven for 30 mnutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out with a few moist crumbs sticking to it. Let the brownies cool completely, then cut them into squares and serve.
Tightly covered with plastic wrap, the brownies keep at room temperature for up to 3 days.
To baconise the Baked Brownie :
Bake 75g thinly sliced proscuitto or bacon in the oven until crispy. Crumble the bacon slices over the top of the brownie batter (or fold it through the mix) before baking. The bacon brownie is best eaten on the day it’s made, if you like your bacon crispy. Otherwise, the bacon will soften a little over the next couple of days, but still be perfectly tasty.
(Of course, the less decadent option would be to bake cookies instead, but honestly, I think the brownies are definitely the way to go.)
Aran said,
May 15, 2009 @ 9:31 pm
I can imagine how the salty bacon might complement the chocolate. Interesting idea!
mallory elise said,
May 15, 2009 @ 9:47 pm
wierrrrddddddd but you know Anthony Bourdain would be all over those–like the maple bacon doughnut from portland!
O magazine eh, well ooooooooooooh 😛
Steph said,
May 15, 2009 @ 10:18 pm
Yesss I am totally into this idea! Love the idea of the crunchy savoury bacon balancing out the soft sweet brownie, I think I would enjoy it the same way I like to dip chips into my sundae when I go to Maccas. People think it’s odd but it works!
Betty said,
May 15, 2009 @ 10:31 pm
wow. this is genius! i think anything with brownie would taste good! ice-cream is my sixth food group as well 😉 lol.
Shalaine said,
May 15, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
‘At least my feet won’t look fat in this. My handbag is still going to fit.’ <—- That’s going to be my new moto when every I eat something unhealthy!!
Bacon and chocolate . . . definetly a recipe I’ll have to hide from the hubby, two of his favourites combined!!
Manggy said,
May 15, 2009 @ 11:16 pm
Hee, I love how you say “despite ALL signs to the contrary.” So there isn’t really a single sign that you do eat a balanced diet except your saying so, lol 🙂 (I’m such a pedant.) Cookies are fine, but those brownies are deeevine. I totally get the bacon addition, I think my family would kill me if I ever added them though– like somehow, it goes *over* the edge of what should be healthy, ha ha 🙂
anna said,
May 15, 2009 @ 11:16 pm
I am beginning to feel left out, being like the only person in the world who doesn’t like bacon. I just put lots of salt in my chocolate desserts!
Shari said,
May 15, 2009 @ 11:43 pm
This looks too tempting not to try! Yours look absolutely delish!
Thanks!
erin @ dessert girl said,
May 15, 2009 @ 11:58 pm
Yay!! I’m so excited to try these! Well, I’ve tried the Baked brownies before and they are AWESOME, but never with bacon! I’m actually a vegetarian, so I’ll have to try it with veggie bacon. I’m not sure how that will turn out, but it’s worth a try.
Howard said,
May 16, 2009 @ 12:07 am
Very nice, love the photos too. We’ve tried adding bacon (prosciutto) to alot of stuff, it worked really well in ice cream and as part of a macaron filling.
Belle@OohLook said,
May 16, 2009 @ 12:09 am
I was just looking at a menu from Quay and wondered why no one ever does a savoury dessert.
A little salt (or bacon) in desserts never hurt anyone.
Laura said,
May 16, 2009 @ 12:15 am
I have yet to try bacon in sweets, somehow the thought is really repulsive. I actually am a fan of savory sweets, and had one memorable dessert that consisted of a walnut cake paired with olive oil ice cream and aged sicilian pecorino. Bacon, on the other hand, is something that makes my stomach turn at the thought of eating it in ice cream or with chocolate. I believe you and all the bacon fans, like David Lebovitz, but will probably never try it.
I just got a copy of Baked from my library and can’t wait to check the recipes out, and for sure I will try the brownie recipe, sans bacon! Thanks for the inspiration!
Happy Baking!
Reginald said,
May 16, 2009 @ 1:44 am
These brownies look beautiful and yummy. I’ve tried bacon ice cream before (it was a dare) and I actually liked it. So, gonna give the borwnies a try. Thanks.
Sophie said,
May 16, 2009 @ 1:50 am
hahahahahahahahaha…..what a surprise of a delicat brownie!!
You & your wonderful brownies! You think really your flavours trough!! I think that you are very wise,….
chocolateshavings said,
May 16, 2009 @ 1:59 am
I LOVED the Baked brownies! I blogged about them a little while ago and can’t wait to make them again. Your addition of bacon is intriguing though… I might have to give it a try!
Niki said,
May 16, 2009 @ 2:21 am
OMG, I love bacon w/ chocolate! I’ve made bacon and chocolate chip cookies and they were phenomenal! Definitely a GREAT combo!
helen said,
May 16, 2009 @ 2:27 am
Baconise…, that’s my favourite word of the day.
I must make these. Been feeling awfully guilty about that gym membership sitting idle. These brownies will definitely put it back to work. Ingenious.
Hannah said,
May 16, 2009 @ 2:45 am
I must admit, I’ve been tempted to try making some vegan bac’un brownies as well, since everyone always seems to rave about the combination of flavors… I like your positive justifications for eating these though! I should definitely write those down somewhere; I feel better about all the cupcakes I just ate thinking about that. 😉
Shellyfish said,
May 16, 2009 @ 6:25 am
Ok, I tested a recipe for Celine making vegan bacon bits…so technically I could give this a try…
My favourite line in this post? “My feet won’t look fat in this”. That is just brilliant!
snooky doodle said,
May 16, 2009 @ 6:41 am
oh these ,must be delicious although the bacon and chocolate cominations is not my favourite ! I ll try these these brownies without bacon though
Marija said,
May 16, 2009 @ 9:10 am
Bacon in chocolate is on my to try out list for a long time. I just keep forgetting.
Those brownies of yours look like a must try! 🙂
Y said,
May 16, 2009 @ 9:50 am
Thanks to all for the comments! Nice to see that there are some people out there who aren’t too repulsed by the idea 🙂
But to those who are, I plead again for you to at least consider making the Baked brownie as it stands. It truly is a very good recipe!
Manggy : Yes, I’m afraid you’ll just have to take my word for it 😉
anna : Not like bacon!? Aww well you can’t please everyone, I guess. I always put salt in my chocolate desserts too.
Howard : Why have you not shared this bacon macaron with the world? Or have I just somehow missed your post?
Belle@OohLook : I have a feeling it’s because they wouldn’t be very popular with most people..
Laura : That walnut cake sounds like a great idea. Bacon in desserts isn’t for everyone. I think it goes really well with dark chocolate though.
Shellyfish : Vegan bacon bits sounds interesting. Is it made with mushrooms?
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella said,
May 16, 2009 @ 10:43 am
As an absolute bacon lover I’m intrigued by this! A part of me is dying to serve these to fellow bacon loving friends without telling them so I can see whether they can detect it!
Tonya @ What's On My Plate said,
May 16, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
You had me at bacon! I’m intrigued… love it!
FFichiban said,
May 16, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
Hee hee bacon brownie is what I’m talking aboutttt XD Mmmm I must tryyyyy!!
Arwen from Hoglet K said,
May 16, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
The brownie sounds beautifully rich, and I like the way it has coffee – it would smell good. I don’t think I’m one for a sweet and savoury combination though.
I used to blow bubbles in milkshakes too!
cakebrain said,
May 16, 2009 @ 4:50 pm
I love chocolate. I love bacon. I know you can never go wrong by adding chocolate to something; but I never thought about bacon! I must have some! looks intriguing!
Simon said,
May 16, 2009 @ 9:13 pm
I like your silver lining perspectives to counteract what to most would be instinctive naysaying.
Does adding the bacon make this better than the “best brownie” i.e. sans bacon?
Wendy said,
May 16, 2009 @ 11:00 pm
As weird as this sounds I just know these are delicious.
Just discovered your blog and it’s beautiful.
lisaiscooking said,
May 16, 2009 @ 11:53 pm
So interesting. And, your cookies look great too.
Caitlin said,
May 16, 2009 @ 11:57 pm
I tend to ignore those pesky voices too. Probably need more salad days, but I can’t forget *my* sixth food group – chocolate! I really should get that Baked cookbook, shouldn’t I?
Helen said,
May 17, 2009 @ 3:30 am
Oh my goodness what an amazing recipe! I want baconised brownies! I am definitely going to make these. Mmmmm, bacon.
Kevin said,
May 17, 2009 @ 6:36 am
Bacon in brownies sounds so good!
Sophie said,
May 17, 2009 @ 10:28 am
Very clever. This post made me laugh, I loved the part about the purse still fitting. You’ve just captured my husbands 2 favorite foods in one dessert and I know he would love the combo. I will definitely be putting this recipe to use, his bday is just around the corner :).
Christy said,
May 17, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
Bacon brownies…yummmm. Unusual food pairings that work. This got me thinking though. So you think I can get away with a bacon and honey flavouring in a cake/cookie? I’m thinking of the Chinese specialty bak kwa, how the flavours work so well together. I might actually even try smoking the bacon and honey so it gets that wonderful smoky charcoal aroma. Or maybe I’ve been craving bak kwa so much these days I’m slightly hallucinating.
And at least you try to pretend to eat vegetables. Sugar and fat are my main food groups most of the time. And whenever I feel fat after eating too much, I just think: Nigella Lawson. And then eat some more.
Cakelaw said,
May 17, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
Oh my – these look amazing. I have never tried the chocolate – bacon combination myself, but I have heard other DBs doing it, so I will put it on the list as one to try.
Anita said,
May 17, 2009 @ 10:08 pm
Did I read correctly? I can’t imagine the flavour combination, but am for some reason mesmerized by the thoughts of combining two foods I absolutely love, but never eat together. Like the cookies too – what other things are you going to add bacon too? 😉
Megan {Feasting on Art} said,
May 17, 2009 @ 10:27 pm
They look so wonderful and moist! My partner has no room for sweets ever but I bet I would be able to tempt him with these!
Louise said,
May 17, 2009 @ 11:19 pm
I’m convinced, this is the second bacon & chocolate recipe I’ve seen this morning. Although, I must confess, your pictures sure do take the cake! I was a wee bit hesitant on the first recipe I saw left @ Dying for Chocolate for National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day in the comment section. It didn’t include a picture. I am however, now going to save them both.
Thanks for sharing…
Louise said,
May 18, 2009 @ 12:07 am
Your post made me laugh. I found your blog while reading another recipe. I made bacon brownies a couple of months ago from a recipe called “Legal Vice Brownies” I found with a Goggle search. They were bacon, bourbon, chocolate, and pecans. I increased both the bacon and bourbon called for in the recipe. For those hesitant to use bacon in brownies, it’s just the sweet/salty thing and the chopped bacon could be mistaken for nuts, if you didn’t know it was bacon. 🙂
Janet said,
May 18, 2009 @ 12:08 am
Thanks to Louise at Months of Edible Celebrations (http://monthsofediblecelebrations.blogspot.com/)
I found your fabulous Bacon Brownie recipe! I’d love to share it. I’ll link back, of course. I also have a new Chocolate Chip Bacon Cookie recipe on my site today, and I’ve done an entry in the past with chocolate covered bacon and a Bacon Brownie recipe from a mix. (http://dyingforchocolate.blogspot.com/2009/04/chocolate-bacon-sweet-and-salty.html). I can’t wait to try your recipe!
shez said,
May 18, 2009 @ 9:22 am
hehe! love the “at least you’ll still fit into your handbag”. i like the way you think 🙂
the caked crusader said,
May 18, 2009 @ 6:29 pm
OK, sounds weird but also good! I can see how the bacon would add something to the rich chocolate. With your bacon brownies and my brussel sprout cake we will rule the world…mwah ha ha ha!
Julia @ Mélanger said,
May 18, 2009 @ 7:04 pm
Wow, this certainly is different. I got visions of Heston Blumenthal’s bacon and ice-cream combination from The Fat Duck when I was reading through this. I guess the chocolate would be a similar substitute to ice-cream, hence the reason it works. When living in America, everyone drenched bacon with maple syrup as well so I guess not so weird after all. I think, like Lorraine, would like to make these and keep the ingredients a secret just to see the reaction!
Howard said,
May 18, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
Y : I’ll post the recipe soon, after we try it again! We did it the first time and they did not look like Macarons at so we just ate them. They tasted like macarons though!
Sara said,
May 19, 2009 @ 3:30 am
Well, I think I was destined to make these. I have been wanting to make the Baked brownie since everyone seems to rave about them. In addition, I literally have pounds of homemade bacon in my freezer that I need to find some uses for. I am super excited to try these. Thanks for the inspiration.
Jude said,
May 19, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
This sounds like a death row treat to me along with with David Lebovitz’ Bacon Ice Cream. I’ll go to the next world with a smile > 🙂
Alex G said,
May 21, 2009 @ 7:18 am
I must thank you for this recipe. Just made it and the brownies are DIVINE.
Sarah Et Cetera » Free for All Friday 22 said,
May 22, 2009 @ 10:41 pm
[…] Bacon Brownies […]
Brownie recipe with…Bacon? said,
May 26, 2009 @ 6:43 am
[…] if intrigued to try this recipe while being simultaneously grossed out by the bacon. Don’t get me wrong, I love […]