Jack Daniel's Whiskey Bacon Caramel Bark Recipe

When we think of bark, we usually think of the holidays. It's hard not to, since holiday barks are hard to miss during the season: everything from peppermint and white chocolate, to nut and dried fruit bark. And, it's also the time of the year when we too traditionally tend to make this treat. But when we stumbled upon a bark recipe with marshmallows, caramel, whiskey, and bacon, we had to break tradition, and make some in July (gasp). These are, after all, perfect ingredients to add to chocolate, so we threw on our Jack Daniel's apron (it's a must for cooking with Jack), got to making some Jack Daniel's Whiskey Bacon Caramel Bark, and never looked back.

Before You Start Making Jack Daniel's Whiskey Bacon Caramel Bark

Weigh/Measure all of your ingredients

Prepare an 8x8 pan - line it with parchment paper (leaving a little paper overhang so you can remove the bark from the pan for cutting) and then coat with a non-stick cooking spray. Tip: spray the cooking spray on a paper towel and then rub on parchment, this way it doesn't pool on the bottom of the pan

Prepare your caramel so it can cool before you put together the other elements

Fry bacon for best results, but use microwavable bacon for ease. Cut into bits

Jack Daniel's Whiskey Bacon Caramel Bark Ingredients

Caramel

1 cup (240g) heavy cream

1 cup + 2 tbsp (225g) granulated sugar

3 tbsp (42g) unsalted butter

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp (205g) light corn syrup

1/4 tsp (1.5g) salt

1/4 tsp (1g) vanilla extract

Rest Of Bark

10 oz (280g) of semi-sweet chocolate

2 cups (100g) mini-marshmallows

1 tbsp (14g) unsalted butter

1 tbsp (14g) Jack Daniel's Whiskey

2-3 strips of bacon, cut into bits

Jack Daniel's Whiskey Bacon Caramel Bark Step-By-Step Directions

How To Make The Caramel

1) In a large saucepan, combine heavy cream, sugar, butter, and light corn syrup. Bring this to a boil on high till sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally.

2) Once the mixture comes to a big boil, reduce heat to medium and let it boil until it reaches 248 degrees (F) on a candy thermometer. This can take about 15-20 minutes.

3) Once it reaches 248 degrees (F), remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.

4) Let the caramel cool as you make the other components.

NOTE: Please be careful as the caramel is extremely hot, and we don't want you to burn your fingers.

How To Assemble The Bark

1) Melt 5 oz (140g) of the semi-sweet chocolate on a double boiler. If you don't have a double boiler you can use a heatproof bowl on a saucepan with simmering water.

2) Pour the melted chocolate in the prepared 8x8 inch pan with the greased parchment paper liner, and place in the freezer.

3) Next melt the marshmallows and butter in a saucepan till smooth, take off heat and mix in the Jack Daniel's Whiskey.

4) Pour marshmallow mixture on the frozen chocolate layer and put back in the freezer for about 10 minutes.

5) After the marshmallow layer is set, pour the cooled caramel as your next layer and place back in freezer for about 10 minutes.

6) Melt the remaining 5 oz (140g) of semi-sweet chocolate and layer on top of the caramel smoothing with an offset spatula. Sprinkle bacon pieces onto the chocolate while it's still melted.

7) Place back in the freezer for about an hour or until completely set.

8) Remove bark using the parchment paper and cut as you prefer.

Jack Daniel's Whiskey Bacon Caramel Bark Sweet Notes

You can use the microwave as another option to melt your chocolate or marshmallows. We suggest microwaving in 30 second increments, stirring in between

If you're not up for the task of making your own caramel, melt about 20-30 caramel candies and follow the rest of the directions

This bark should be refrigerated until you're ready to serve, the caramel and the marshmallow make the bark soft to handle when out at room temp

Cut the bark in any shape or size you prefer

If you love Jack, you might want to pick up Jack Daniel's Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook with over 50+ dessert recipes (and plenty of savory ones too)

Caramel recipe adapted from Martha Stewart

Chocolate, caramel, marshmallow, whiskey, and bacon bark adapted from The Kitchen Prep