Bourbon Bacon Apple Tarts

For dessert, try this bacon-filled treat.

Nonstick cooking spray

Candied Bacon: 4 slices bacon 3 tablespoons raw sugar

Tarts: 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced 1 lemon, juiced 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1/4 cup bourbon, plus 1 tablespoon, divided use 3 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup brown sugar Pinch of salt 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon powdered sugar 2 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled Candied bacon, for garnish

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Candied Bacon: Put a baking rack on a baking sheet and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Lay the bacon on the rack and sprinkle with half of the raw sugar. Transfer to the oven a bake for eight to 12 minutes. Remove from oven, flip bacon and sprinkle with the remaining sugar. Bake until the bacon is browned and crisp, another eight to 12 minutes. Remove the bacon from the rack to a plate and set aside to let cool completely. Once cool, break into small shards and use for garnishing the tarts.

Tarts: Unfold puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface and roll the sheet out slightly. Using a 2-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out 24 rounds. Put the rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Top with a baking rack to help keep the rounds uniform and even as they bake. Bake in the preheated oven until the rounds are golden brown, about 12 minutes. Remove to a serving platter and set aside to cool.

In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with the lemon juice. Add the cinnamon, maple syrup, 1/4 cup bourbon, butter, brown sugar and salt to the bowl and stir to combine. In a large skillet, add the apple mixture and turn the heat on to medium-low. Cook until apples are tender and the liquid has thickened, about 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside to cool.

In a large, cold bowl, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon bourbon. Whip with a hand mixer to soft peaks.

Mix the crumbled bacon into the apple filling. Using the tip of a spoon, carefully remove a little circle of puff pastry creating a well. Fill each pastry with 1 tablespoon of the apple filling. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with a shard of the candied bacon.

Yield: 24 pieces Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 24 minutes Inactive Prep Time: 30 minutes Ease of preparation: Intermediate

Brian Boitano is an Olympic champion figure skater and the host of the new Food Network show, What Would Brian Boitano Make?

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