maple bacon marshmallows

I was brainstorming maple recipes this week for someone else when I came across this picture. Marshmallows had been on my to-do list for a while but they got bumped to the top of it when I saw the maple bacon combo. This time of year, you just can't escape maple everything, so might as well embrace it.

I love bacon and maple syrup together. I love maple syrup even more when there is bacon involved. So these totally made sense to me.

These taste exactly how you'd think. Strong maple flavor, and salty bacon. In a pillowy soft marshmallow. I love salty sweets, so this was a huge hit for me. Not sure we like the textural contrast between the marshmallow and the bacon. You just don't expect chewy bits in your candy. Didn't stop me from eating way more of these than I should.

Maple Bacon Marhmallows

recipe source: Marshmallow Madness by Shauna Sever via Epicurious

4 1/2 teaspoons unflavored powdered gelatin
1/2 cup cold water

2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup Grade A dark or Grade B maple syrup
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) finely chopped candied bacon*
1/2 cup 3 parts powdered sugar to 2 parts cornstarch, plus more for dusting

Lightly coat an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Whisk together the gelatin and cold water in a small bowl. Let it soften for 5 minutes.

Stir together the sugar, maple syrup, corn syrup, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, until it hits 240°F. Be prepared to lower the heat as needed—this syrup likes to bubble up. Microwave the gelatin on high until completely melted, about 30 seconds. Pour it into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Set the mixer to low and keep it running.

When the syrup reaches 240°F, slowly pour it into the mixer bowl. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 5 minutes. Increase to medium-high and beat for 3 more minutes. Add the cinnamon, increase to the highest speed, and beat for 1 minute more. Quickly fold in the bacon bits. Pour the marshmallow into the prepared pan. Sift coating over top. Let it set for 6 hours in a cool, dry place. Use a knife to loosen the marshmallow from the edges of the pan. Invert the slab onto a work surface. Cut it into pieces and dust them with more coating.

*To make candied bacon, lay 6 or 7 bacon slices on a wire rack set over a sheet pan lined with foil. Combine 1/4 cup light brown sugar with 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Rub over both sides of bacon. Bake at 350°F until deeply caramelized, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool before chopping into bits.