You didn’t think I was going to let a whole summer go by without s’mores-ing, did you?
Well, I may have slid in just in the nick of time, but I think I made up for lost time. Because this just might be the best, most decadent s’mores creation I’ve ever had. I mean, it’s quite frankly out of control. Inappropriate. Obnoxious. But it was also one of the best things I’ve eaten in a long, long time, so how could I deprive you, my loyal readers, of the ultimate in s’mores goodness? I could never do that to you.
These caramelized bacon s’mores are no joke. At first, I was just going to caramelize bacon and throw it on top of a regular graham cracker/toasty marshmallow/ Hershey’s milk chocolate squares situation. But then!! My fabulous future sister-in-law came over for dinner last weekend, and brought me a little present – this totally perfect bacon ganache chocolate bar from Trader Joe’s. By some miracle of self-control, I didn’t devour the entire thing that night (maybe because we already had eaten enchiladas and leftover peach cake) and the next morning, it occurred to me that maybe, just MAYBE, I should put it in my caramelized bacon s’mores. Because sometimes one type of bacon wrapped in sugar isn’t enough, ya know?
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This ended up being a highly excellent decision. Shocker, I know. So now we have it: these ridiculous double-bacon caramelized bacon s’mores. The caramelized bacon is a treat by itself – I swear, something magical happens when brown sugar and spices hang out with some bacon in the oven for a little bit – but combined with the toasty marshmallows, the classic grahams, and the BACON CHOCOLATE GANACHE BAR? I can’t even. Seriously.
The whole thing is the ultimate (dangerously easy) summer dessert situation – sweet and slightly spicy bacon, gooey marshmallows, crunchy graham crackers, and the melty salty bacon ganache chocolate. Brad and I ate these in blissful silence, unable to speak more than a few “mmms” while we devoured them standing up over a plate, happily grinning with melted chocolate and marshmallows all over our faces (because how else do you eat s’mores?). Next time you feel like turning your standard s’mores on their head, these caramelized bacon s’mores are where it’s at.
And guess what!! I made these inside on our gas stove so you can make these caramelized bacon s’mores ALL YEAR LONG. Long live the bacon s’more!
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 4 slices caramelized bacon, cut in half
- 4 graham crackers
- 4 marshmallows
- 1 Trader Joe’s Bacon Ganache Chocolate Bar (can sub regular Hershey’s milk chocolate bar if desired)
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place an oven-safe baking rack on top. Cut the 4 slices of bacon in half and arrange on the baking rack so they aren’t touching. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Using a small spoon, spoon the mixture onto the bacon slices, covering as much as possible. (You may have a bit of the sugar-spice mixture leftover). Bake in preheated oven for about 25 minutes, until crispy but not burned. Transfer the caramelized bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and allow to cool to room temperature.
- While the bacon is cooling, toast your marshmallows. Assemble s’mores; for each, top 1 graham cracker half with 1 toasted marshmallow, 2 caramelized bacon halves, and ¼ of the chocolate bar, then top with the remaining graham cracker half. Repeat 4 times for 4 s’mores. Enjoy immediately!
Don’t forget to try my other favorite s’mores treat!
Mexican Dark Chocolate S’mores Bars
