There’s nothing like the smell of bacon frying in the morning. But what about bourbon? These Bacon Bourbon Bars combine the two flavors for a delicious breakfast or snack. Made with only five ingredients, they’re easy to make and perfect for game day. So grab your favorite bourbon and get cooking!

Bacon Bourbon Bars
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Bacon Bourbon BarsThis is an amazing recipe full and full of flavor, if you love Bacon this is a great dessert.

I started by air-frying some bacon, perfectly crisped it up, and then created this amazing dessert for my family.

It is an easy recipe. Today, I used the oven, rather than the air fryer, since I have been trying to expand my website with all sorts of recipes.

Today’s Recipe for Bacon Bourbon Bars

Do you love bacon and bourbon? If so, you’re going to love this recipe for Bacon Bourbon Bars! They’re the perfect mix of sweet and savory, with a hint of bourbon flavor. Best of all, they’re easy to make – just mix the ingredients together and bake in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Serve them at your next party and watch them disappear!

Ingredients Needed For Bacon Bourbon Bars

Who doesn’t love bacon? And who doesn’t love bourbon? If you combine the two, you have a party in your mouth! These bars are the perfect appetizer for any gathering, and they’re easy to make too. All you need is some bacon, brown sugar, bourbon, and a few other ingredients. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!

Bacon Bourbon Bars
  • Center Cut Bacon
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Baking powder
  • Butter
  • Reserved Bacon Fat
  • Packed brown sugar 
  • Bourbon
  • Vanilla extract
  • Eggs
  • Dark chocolate

How To Make Bacon Bourbon Bars

Bacon Bourbon Bars

Cook bacon, in a skillet, air fryer, or oven until golden brown and crisp. Place bacon on a paper towel-lined plate. If possible, reserve ½ cup of bacon fat and refrigerate until solid. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder

Bacon Bourbon Bars

In a separate, larger bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter, bacon fat, sugars, bourbon, and vanilla. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined. Beat in the flour mixture. Stir in the bacon and chocolate

For cookies, drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. For bars, evenly smooth the batter into a parchment paper-lined baking pan. Bake until golden brown Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 weeks  

Bacon Bourbon Bars

Pro Tips For Bacon Bourbon Bar Recipe

  • Use Quality Bacon: Use thick-cut, high-quality bacon for the best flavor and texture. It will provide a better balance of salty and smoky flavors in the bars.
  • Cook Bacon Crispy: Cook the bacon until it’s crispy to add a satisfying crunch to the bars.
  • Balance Sweetness: Since the bars will have both sweet and savory elements, balance the sweetness of the caramel or glaze with a touch of salt to enhance the overall flavor profile.
  • Proper Mixing: When mixing the batter, make sure to combine the ingredients well but avoid overmixing, which can result in dense bars.
  • Chill the Bars: After baking, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Refrigerate them for a few hours to firm up before cutting.
  • Cutting Tips: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars, and clean the knife between cuts for neat and precise squares. For an extra clean cut, warm the knife slightly.
  • Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for a couple of days, but for longer storage, refrigerate them.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve the bars with a drizzle of extra caramel sauce or a sprinkle of sea salt on top for added flavor.
  • Experiment with Add-ins: Feel free to experiment with add-ins like nuts (pecans or walnuts), chocolate chips, or a hint of espresso powder to enhance the flavor complexity.
Bacon Bourbon Bars

Pro Tips For Bacon Bourbon Bar Recipe Faqs

What type of bacon should I use? Use thick-cut, high-quality bacon for the best flavor and texture. It provides a good balance of smoky and salty flavors that complement the sweetness of the bars.

How do I cook the bacon for this recipe? Cook the bacon until it’s crispy, then drain it well on paper towels to remove excess grease. This adds a satisfying crunch to the bars.

How much bourbon should I use? Typically, 1-2 tablespoons of bourbon is enough to add a nice flavor without overpowering the bars. Adjust to taste, but remember to cook off some alcohol if using it in a cooked component.

Can I substitute the bourbon with something else? If you prefer not to use bourbon, you can substitute with vanilla extract or a mix of water and a bit of brown sugar for a similar depth of flavor.

How do I balance the sweetness in the bars? Add a pinch of salt to the caramel or glaze to enhance the overall flavor and balance the sweetness. The bacon also adds a savory element that helps balance the flavors.

What kind of chocolate should I use? Use high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate for a rich flavor. Milk chocolate can be too sweet, but it can be used if you prefer a milder taste.

How do I ensure the bars have the right texture? Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent dense bars. Mix just until the ingredients are incorporated. Ensure each layer, if there are multiple, is evenly spread.

How long should I chill the bars before cutting? Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate them for at least a few hours to firm up before cutting. This helps achieve cleaner slices.

What is the best way to cut the bars? Use a sharp knife and clean it between cuts for neat, precise squares. Warming the knife slightly can also help in making cleaner cuts.

How should I store the bars? Store the bars in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for a couple of days, but for longer storage, refrigerate them. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

Can I add other ingredients to the bars? Yes, you can experiment with add-ins like chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts), chocolate chips, or a hint of espresso powder to enhance the flavor complexity.

How should I serve the bars? Serve the bars with a drizzle of extra caramel sauce or a sprinkle of sea salt on top for added flavor. They also pair well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

More Easy Recipes

Bacon Bourbon Bars

Bacon Bourbon Bars

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 24 Servings

Description

Bacon Bourbon Bars–This is an amazing recipe full and full of flavor, if you love Bacon this is a great dessert.

Ingredients 

  • 12 ounces bacon, diced
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 stick butter, unsalted, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup shortening, or bacon fat
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped and shaved

Instructions

  • Cook bacon, in a skillet, air fryer, or oven until golden brown and crisp
  • Place bacon on a paper towel-lined plate
  • If possible, reserve ½ cup of bacon fat and refrigerate until solid
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F 
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder
  • In a separate, larger bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter, bacon fat, sugars, bourbon, and vanilla
  • Mix in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined
  • Beat in the flour mixture
  • Stir in the bacon and chocolate
  • For cookies, drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. For bars, evenly smooth batter into a parchment paper-lined baking pan
  • Bake until golden brown
  • Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or the freezer for up to 6 weeks  

Equipment

  • Baking Pan
  • Cooking Spray

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 272kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 4gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 303mgPotassium: 126mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 149IUCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg

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