Maple Bacon Ice Cream

Who doesn't love ice cream?! Who doesn't love bacon?! (Well, vegans, I guess?) When I found this recipe, I knew I had to try it!

For the ice cream you will need:

• 3 large egg yolks
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 2 cups heavy cream
• chocolate chips for garnish

For the bacon brittle you will need:

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more for the baking sheet
• Half a pound of bacon
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• Chile powder

The first step to make the ice cream is to make the custard component. Combine the egg yolks, sugar and salt together and whisk it until it turns light yellow. Put it on the stove over medium heat and whisk in the milk. Continue to stir over heat until the mixture can coat the back of a spoon, then stir in the maple syrup. Put the mixture into a bowl and refrigerate it while you move on to the next step.

To make the bacon brittle, cut the half pound of bacon into smaller pieces and cook it until it's golden and crispy. Put the pieces on some paper towels to drain.

Prepare a baking sheet by coating it in butter or use a non-stick mat.

Melt the sugar by putting it in a sauce pan over medium or high heat until all the sugar melts. Make sure you stir it constantly to avoid burning it. When it is completely melted and a golden brown color, take it off the stove and stir in the butter, then add the baking soda, bacon and chili powder. When you add the baking soda, the sugar should bubble and sort of fizz and turn opaque. I didn't know that would happen, but it's cool to watch!

Once it's all combined, pour it onto the cookie sheet you prepared before hand. Set it aside to cool.

Break the brittle into the small pieces, I did this by smashing it with a heavy cast iron pan.

Stir the cream into the chilled custard and add the small pieces of bacon brittle. Pour the mixture into whatever ice cream maker you are using. I used this ice cream maker from Zoku (which is one of the prizes in the Frozen Treats Contest!) which is really easy to use. You just freeze it ahead of time and stir the ice cream while it freezes!

I garnished my ice cream with melted chocolate, a piece of bacon, a larger piece of bacon brittle and some bacon bits. It was delicious!

Just the bacon brittle alone is awesome too!