Bake These Savory Sweet Treats with Bacon

Mmm, bacon. Those delicious strips of cured pork are a favorite on breakfast tables. Plus, they've been a popular dish for centuries; according to Scientific American, the Chinese first began salting pork bellies in 1,500 B.C. But those crispy strips can also pair well with sugary ingredients and add a wonderful, savory kick to baked sweets. In honor of National Bacon Lover's Day this August 20, try these unique, bacon-boosted recipes.

1. Maple Bacon

This simple maple bacon recipe is a perfectly tasty pairing of salty and sweet. Start by arranging your bacon strips in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400º F for about 15 minutes or until the bacon begins to brown. Remove from the oven and brush the strips with maple syrup. Bake for an additional 5 minutes until the bacon is sticky and browned. Let cool on a wire rack or wax paper.

2. Chocolate-covered Bacon

While it may seem like an unusual pairing, a chocolate bacon recipe like this one can make for a delicious way to experience two of your favorite foods. Melt semisweet chocolate — either bars or chips — in a double boiler. Remove from the heat. Coat your cooked bacon by dunking slices in the melted chocolate. Set on a tray lined with wax or parchment paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3. Bourbon Brown Sugar Bacon

Arrange single layers of bacon on a wire rack and place on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven at 375º F for 10 minutes. In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup of brown sugar with 1/4 cup of bourbon until the sugar dissolves. Brush this mixture on both sides of the bacon after removing it from the oven.

Return the bacon to the oven and bake at 375º F for 40 minutes, or until it's crisp around the edges, brushing on the brown sugar mix every 10 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes. For maple brown sugar bacon, simply replace the bourbon with 2 tablespoons of both maple syrup and rice vinegar.

4. Maple Bacon Donuts

For this recipe, you can make your own donuts or simply buy premade plain cake donuts. Prepare the icing by mixing 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup of maple syrup and 3 tablespoons of water. Dip the donuts in the icing and immediately sprinkle with cooked chopped bacon.

When you’re ready to add some sweet to your savory, you can count on Food Lion to stay stocked with all the items you need.