These are simply amazing! I was so excited when I saw this on the daring bakers for April. I have been patiently waiting for something to bake where I could candy bacon.

The April 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Evelyne of the blog Cheap Ethnic Eatz. Evelyne chose to challenge everyone to make a maple mousse in an edible container. Prizes are being awarded to the most creative edible container and filling, so vote on your favorite from April 27th to May 27th at http://thedaringkitchen.com/!

Now that I've made candied bacon I don't think I'll ever make regular bacon again! Candied bacon would also taste great with pancakes. It's a little sweet and salty.

Maple, Chocolate Chip and Candied Bacon Cookie Cups filled with Maple Mousse

Ingredients

1 cup maple syrup

4 egg yolks

7g unflavored gelatine

1 1/2 cups whipping cream (I used double cream)

1 package bacon

pepper

1/3 cup brown sugar

Maple, Chocolate Chip & Candied Bacon Cookie Cups

2 cups plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp maple extract

1/3 cup candied bacon, chopped

1 cup dark chocolate chips

1. Make the mousse by whipping 1 1/4 cups of the whipping cream until stiff peaks form.

2. In a small bowl mix a 1/4 cup whipping cream and gelatine in a small bowl. Leave for five minutes and then microwave for 10 seconds and stir until dissolved. Heat for another 10 seconds if needed.

3. In a large bowl whisk the egg yolks together.

4. Bring the maple syrup to a boil in a saucepan and remove from the heat. Pour a small amount of the egg yolks and whisk (so they don't curdle). Pour in the rest of the maple syrup and the gelatine mixture. Whisk occasionally over the period of 1 hour.

5. Stir in 1/4 cup of the whipped cream done in step 1. Fold in the rest of the whipped cream. Cover and place in the fridge to set.

6. Make the candied bacon. Preheat oven to 325 F/ 160 C. Place the bacon in a bowl and mix the pepper and brown sugar. Place the strips on a foil lined baking sheet.

I used my favorite bacon that gets crisp when cooked. In the UK I've only seen this at Sainsbury's

7. Place a piece of foil on top and another baking tray on top and bake for 10 minutes. Check, sprinkle a little more brown sugar over top and bake for a further 10-15 minutes until crisp. I baked for a few minutes with the top tray taken off as well.

8. Make the cookie cups. Preheat oven to 350 F/180C and grease a muffin tray. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Set aside.

9. Beat together the butter and sugars with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time until blended. Add the vanilla and maple extracts and beat until blended and fluffy.

10. Add the flour a little at a time, mixing until combined, Stir in the bacon and chocolate chips.


11. Using a cookie scoop place 2 rounds in each muffin tray and bake for 12 minutes.


12. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven take a teaspoon and gently press the center of the cookie to the sides to make a cup.

13. Leave in the tray for 5 minutes and then remove. Let cool completely.

14. Once the mousse has set place 1 tablespoon of mousse into each cup and top with a piece of candied bacon.

Enjoy, and if you're feeling generous share! I don't think I want to share my candied bacon.

This has been my favorite challenge so far. Yeast is usually my nemesis but I did really well this time and it came out like bread should!

I filled mine with chocolate chips, cinnamon chips and walnuts.

Meringue Filled Cake

Ingredients

4 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 tsp salt

1 package active dried yeast

1/4 cup water

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 eggs

Meringue

3 egg whites at room temperature

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup sugar

Filling

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1/2 cup cinnamon chips

1 cup chopped walnuts
2 tbs sugar

Topping

Egg wash: 1 beaten egg
Melted chocolate to drizzle on top

1. Start the dough by mixing 1 1/2 cups flour, the sugar, salt and yeast.

2. In a saucepan heat the milk, water and butter until the butter is melted. With an electric mixer on low speed gradually pour in the warm milk and mix for 2 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 cup of flour and beat for 2 more minutes.

3. Using a wooden spoon stir in the remaining flour to make a dough that sticks together. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is soft, smooth and elastic. I had to add about another cup of flour as I was kneading.

4. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl (with vegetable oil) and cover with cling film and a tea towel for 45-60 minutes. The dough should double in size.

5. While the dough is rising make the filling by mixing the different chips and sugar in a small bowl and chopping the walnuts.

6. Make the meringue in a medium sized bowl by whipping the egg whites on medium high speed. Add in the salt and vanilla. Slowly add in the sugar until stiff peaks form.

7. Remove half of the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle.

8. Spread half of the meringue half an inch away from the sides and scatter half of the chocolate chip mixture on top and then half of the chopped walnuts.  

9. Roll the dough like a jellyroll from the longer side and transfer to a non stick cookie sheet. (the directions say to make this a ring and seal it together but I made one big ring using both half's). Repeat with the remaining dough and seal the ends with the other half and make a ring.

10. Using a sharp knife make cuts along the outside edge at one inch intervals. Cover with cling film and let rise for 45-60 minutes. Brush with the egg wash.

11. Preheat oven to 350 F/180 C and bake for 25-30 minutes until risen and golden brown. It should sound hollow when tapped. Drizzle the top with some melted chocolate.

The February 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Mallory from A Sofa in the Kitchen. She chose to challenge everyone to make Panna Cotta from a Giada De Laurentiis recipe and Nestle Florentine Cookies.

I thought the combination of panna cotta and cookies was a bit odd but I'd never made either before so I was looking forward to it. The cookies are so easy to make. It took me about an hour to make these on a weeknight. I made the panna cotta on the weekend.

Ingredients

2/3 cups butter

2 cups quick oats

1 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup plain flour

1/4 dark corn syrup (I used golden syrup)

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt
*Optional extra - I added some extra chopped hazelnuts and toasted almonds to the batter. I think these need a little something extra as they're a little plain without it.

1 cup dark chocolate

1. Preheat oven to 375 F/190 C. Line baking sheet with parchment paper (I didn't bother as I have an excellent non stick baking sheet).

2. Melt the butter in a medium sized sauce pan, remove from the heat and add the oats, sugar, flour, golden syrup, milk, vanilla and salt. Mix well with a wooden spoon.

3. Drop tablespoons on the baking sheets 3 inches apart. Press down on each mound slightly with a fork or back of a spoon.

4. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 second intervals. Pour into squeezy bottle and drizzle over top of each cookie. Chocolate can also be sandwiched between 2 cookie.

The panna cotta wasn't that hard to make but it took awhile to make because I had to wait for the bottom layer to set and then for the top layer to set.

This is also the first time I've actually eaten a panna cotta. I prefer cake but the bottom layer was rich and creamy and the top pomegranate layer gave it a little bit of tartness.

3. Remove from the heat and pour into glasses (or wine glasses). Refrigerate for several hours until set.

Pomegranate Gelatine 

adapted from Graces Sweet Life

Ingredients

1 1/2 tsp powdered gelatine

1/4 cup boiling water

1 cup pomegranate juice

1 tsp caster sugar

1. In a small bowl stir together the boiling water and gelatine until it's dissolved

2. Stir in the pomegranate juice and sugar until combined. Pour over the set panna cotta and refrigerate for several hours.

Can't wait to see what next months challenge brings!

1. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, gradually add the egg whites and beat continuously. Fold in the sifted flour and tint to whatever color you fancy!

Peel away your silicone mat. I also cut away the crispy edges.