Our Digital Food Editor, Kristen entered a bacon competition (Twin Cities Bacon Takedown Funsmash) and won the 1st Place People’s Choice Award with her recipe for Brown Butter Cereal Bars with Candied Bacon (see recipe below). Here is "Chef" Kristen holding one of her prize-winning treats. She beat out 19 other contestants!
For winning, Kristen was given a years supply of Hormel Black Label Bacon, a 10-inch Anolon skillet and a set of Wüstof knives. Best of all, she was given the Golden Piggy Trophy.
Can you imagine anything tasting better than cereal bars with candied bacon? They are a perfect summer treat to bring to picnics, the beach or after a ball game. These chewy bars are sweet and salty at the same time.
Brown Butter Cereal Bars with Candied Bacon
1 lb bacon
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter (no substitutions)
1 1/2 bags (10 oz each) marshmallows
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
6 cups rice Chex® cereal
6 cups corn Chex® cereal
Heat oven to 400°F. Line broiler pan or 10x15 pan with parchment paper or foil. Place bacon on pan in single layer. Sprinkle with half of the brown sugar. Bake 9 to 11 minutes until the sugar is dissolved. Turn bacon over, sprinkle with remaining brown sugar. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until bacon is crisp and sugar is melted. Set aside to cool, finely chop.
In 5 quart dutch oven melt butter on medium heat, stirring frequently until it turns golden brown and begins to smell nutty. Add in marshmallows, stir until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla, salt and finely chopped candied bacon until well incorporate. Gently stir in cereal, until well coated.
Spoon into 13x9-inch glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Wet your hands slightly with water and press the mixture evenly into the pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Cut into small (1-inch) bite sized pieces.