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Winning 2025 Bacon Bash Texas dish: Spicy Maple Caramel Bacon Crack with Pederson’s Farms bacon next to warm spiked mulled apple cider.
Red, White & Pork

Spicy Maple Caramel Bacon Crack + Warm Spiked Mulled Apple Cider

This recipe took first place in Battle of the Bacon—a perfect balance of sweet, heat, and smoke, starring Pederson’s Farms bacon and a boozy mulled cider that tastes like fall in a cup.
Make it at home, share it with friends, and you’ll understand why this one took home 1st place at Bacon Bash Texas 2025!
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Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 10 people
Course: beverage, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Southern, Texas
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

1 sleeve (about 40) saltine crackers
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
¼ cup pure maple syrup
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 slices Pederson’s Farms thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
Pinch of coarse sea salt (optional for finishing)

Equipment

  • 1 Half-sheet baking pan
  • 1 Saucepan
  • 1 Parchment paper or foil

Instructions
 

Bacon Crack
    Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper or foil.
      Arrange crackers in a single layer to cover the pan.
        In a medium saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly.
          Once boiling, let it bubble for 3 minutes without stirring.
            Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, cayenne, and red pepper flakes.
              Pour caramel over crackers and spread evenly.
                Sprinkle with bacon crumbles and press lightly.
                  Bake for 5–6 minutes, until bubbly.
                    Cool completely on the pan. Once firm, break into 1x2-inch pieces.
                      Optional: Sprinkle sea salt before cooling for that perfect salty-sweet finish.

                        Notes

                        Red, White & Pork are a Texas-based cooking team known for their bold flavors and good hearts. They took home the 2025 Bacon Bash Texas title with this sweet-and-spicy showstopper.
                        • You can prepare the Bacon Crack up to 2 days ahead; store in an airtight container at room temperature.
                        • Substitute club crackers for saltines for a slightly richer flavor.
                        • Pederson’s Farms bacon adds the perfect balance of smoky flavor — use thick-cut for best texture.