I was asked to take part in a sundae competition and this was my entry. Wouldn’t my Candied Maple Bacon Sundae make the perfect over the top dessert for your family?
I will be the first to admit that I do love ice cream, especially Gelato but that’s wasn’t going to be enough for this competition. I had to actually come up with something good enough to win. I won’t even tell you what my first attempt was, not just because it was a dismal failure, but I think I still might be able to pull it off, with a little more experimentation….it just needs time.
So after my initial failure this morning, I quickly came up with plan B.
Sour Cream Vanilla Gelato with Candied Maple Bacon, Sweet and Spicy Pecans, Chocolate Dipped Sea Salt and Vinegar Potato chips, topped with a Sour Cream Whipped Cream and a Bourbon Caramel Sauce.
I gotta tell you for a guy that doesn’t make sundaes, this sundae rocked! If you don’t believe me make this for your family and I’m sure they’ll verify it!
If you enjoyed this recipe you may also like these:
- The Best and Easiest Strawberry Gelato
- Clementine (Tangerine) Gelato and Colada
- Grilled Peaches and Cream Gelato
- Meyer Lemon Gelato
Candied Maple Bacon Sundae
Ingredients
Sour Cream Vanilla Gelato:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
Sweet and Spicy Pecans:
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon chili powder or spice of your choice
Candied Maple Bacon:
- 12 ounce extra thick center cut bacon
- 2 ounces butter melted
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Chocolate Dipped Sea Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips:
- 4 ounces chocolate your choice of type- melted
- 20 Sea Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips
Bourbon Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup white sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
Sour Cream Whipped Cream:
- 6 ounces heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Sour Cream Vanilla Gelato:
- In a mixing bowl with a wire whip, mix all of the ingredients together until sugar is fully dissolved.
- Place ingredients in your ice cream or gelato maker and freeze according to directions.
- Allow Gelato to set up 4-6 hours before serving.
Sweet and Spicy Pecans:
- Place pecans in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes on a baking dish
- Melt butter in a small pan and mix in brown sugar, cinnamon and chili powder
- After 10 minutes, remove pecans from oven and toss in sugar butter mixture until all pecans are well coated.
- Place coated pecans back on baking dish and put back in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Allow pecans to cool on parchment
Maple Candied Bacon
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl (except for bacon) until well blended
- Carefully add bacon to the mixture, making sure to coat both sides of all the bacon.
- Place bacon on a wire rack over top of a half sheet pan (it’s a good idea to line the baking pan with foil to catch any drippings)
- Place tray in 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes. Bacon should be dark brown but not burnt. If you don’t cook the bacon long enough it will be chewy instead of crunchy.
- Allow bacon to cool for a few minutes then remove from wire rack onto parchment.
Chocolate Dipped Sea Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips:
- Melt 4 ounces of chocolate (your choice)
- Sea Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips
Bourbon Caramel Sauce:
- In a sauté pan add sugar and water. Swirl to mix and cook over medium high heat, until sugar completely dissolves and becomes a beautiful dark amber color. Remember to keep the sugar moving in the pan by swirling the mixture around (do not use a spoon). Do not allow the sugar to burn! When its reached that rich color remove from the heat and allow to cool down for 2-3 minutes.
- Add heavy cream slowly mixing in with a wooden spoon.
- Add in bourbon and mix well. Allow sauce to cool.
Sour Cream Whipped Cream:
- In a mixing bowl add cream, sugar and vanilla and slowly beat the cream until in has stiff peaks. Do this slowly so it has time to build. (If you beat the cream too fast it will barely last one day, take your time (7-10 minutes) and it will last 3-4 days)
- When cream is fully whipped fold in sour cream.
deana@lostpastremembered says
I think you rocked it. I just made a bacon apple dish last week and loved the sweet and savory combination. Once upon a time, Europeans ate that way with what we would consider desserts served with meat. Then it fell out of fashion. I wonder why? It’s so good. Good luck with the challenge.
Betty Ann @Mango_Queen says
I’ve never had bacon before in desserts so I’m curious about the flavors of this. But I am tempted to try it. The caramel on the sundae just did it for me. Good for you, great event with Epicurious, Chef Dennis!
Chef Dennis says
Thank you Stephanie, I wanted to make sure the folks at Epicurious remembered me!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
Oh my gosh, this is just incredible, Chef!
Dara says
Fabulous sundae Dennis! Bacon is such a wonderful compliment to chocolate and creamy ice cream.
Chef Dennis says
Thanks Dara, I have to admit this was my first time adding bacon to ice cream and it surprised me how well it went with it.
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
Wow! That sounds sick-over the top killer-you made it and got to eat it. I am not a big ice cream fan and when I do eat it my favorite form is in a sundae. This sounds phenomonal!
Chef Dennis says
Thanks Abbe, I was surprised at how good the sour cream ice cream was, and the toppings were just a tad over the top…lol
Jennifer-The Adventuresome Kitchen says
Great job Dennis! You know we have a motto here- Bacon makes everything better! Great combination of flavors- I’d make this sundae any day if the week. Cheers!
Chef Dennis says
thanks Jennifer and bacon does make everything better!
Foodiewife says
Wow! I’d say your Plan B was really thinking outside the box! So many textures and flavors…sweet, salty, hot. Good luck, Chef!
Chef Dennis says
Thanks Debby, I really had to start scrambling, but it did seem to turn out very well!
Amelia says
Hi Chef, this sundae is to die for…..AWESOME! Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipe.
Have a nice day.
Chef Dennis says
Thank you Amelia, the flavors went so well together
anna says
THIS IS BLOWING MY MIND
Chef Dennis says
It was pretty amazing, Thanks Anna!