Pig Candy
Have you ever wanted bacon and candy but you just couldn't make up your mind. Well, now you can have both! Pig Candy is a great treat that will impress your friends and make your neighbors jealous.
What you will need.
12oz thick cut bacon. About 11-12 pieces.
1/3 cup brown sugar.
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 BBQ foil pan with holes or a broiler pan. A cooling rack will also work.
What you will need.
12oz thick cut bacon. About 11-12 pieces.
1/3 cup brown sugar.
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 BBQ foil pan with holes or a broiler pan. A cooling rack will also work.
Fitting the Pan to Your Smoker
Before you do anything make sure the pan you are going to use will fit on your smoker. As you can see in the picture below I had to bend the corners of the foil grill cover I got at the dollar store so it would fit my smoker.
Adding the Bacon
Place strips of thick cut bacon on the pan. I was able to get 11 strips on the pan I used.
It's ok if the bacon is touching because it will shrink as it cooks. Just make sure it's not overlapped too much.
It's ok if the bacon is touching because it will shrink as it cooks. Just make sure it's not overlapped too much.
Cooking the Bacon
This is best cooked on a smoker but it can be done on a grill if you are careful.
You want the smoker temp to be between 325-350 degrees F. If you are using a water smoker do not add water to the water pan. Line the pan with foil to catch the drippings.
If you are using a grill place a foil pan under the cooking grate to catch the grease.
Place the pan of bacon on the smoker and cook for 20 minutes.
Add 1 handful of wood chips to the smoker. Since bacon is already smoked you do not need to add anymore wood chips ounce those burn out.
You want the smoker temp to be between 325-350 degrees F. If you are using a water smoker do not add water to the water pan. Line the pan with foil to catch the drippings.
If you are using a grill place a foil pan under the cooking grate to catch the grease.
Place the pan of bacon on the smoker and cook for 20 minutes.
Add 1 handful of wood chips to the smoker. Since bacon is already smoked you do not need to add anymore wood chips ounce those burn out.
Make the Topping
While the bacon is cooking for the first 20 minutes you will want to make the topping.
In a bowl combine the 1/3 cup of brown sugar and the 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper. I use a fork to make sure the topping is mixed well.
If you don't want it hot just reduce or omit the pepper.
In a bowl combine the 1/3 cup of brown sugar and the 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper. I use a fork to make sure the topping is mixed well.
If you don't want it hot just reduce or omit the pepper.
Flip the Bacon and Add the Topping
After 20 minutes flip the bacon.
Add the topping to the bacon. Close the lid and cook for another 20 minutes.
Try to apply the topping evenly. Heavy spots will just taste like hardened brown sugar. You want the topping to melt and glaze the bacon.
Add the topping to the bacon. Close the lid and cook for another 20 minutes.
Try to apply the topping evenly. Heavy spots will just taste like hardened brown sugar. You want the topping to melt and glaze the bacon.
Finished Product
After the second 20 minutes the Pig Candy is now ready to enjoy.
Remove the tray of Pig Candy from the smoker and let it rest for a few minutes. Enjoy immediately or store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Pig candy is best served as an appitizer and is good warm or cold. It's a hit at BBQs as well as Christmas parties.
Remove the tray of Pig Candy from the smoker and let it rest for a few minutes. Enjoy immediately or store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Pig candy is best served as an appitizer and is good warm or cold. It's a hit at BBQs as well as Christmas parties.