It’s absolutely worth it …
Death by Chocolate!
Yes, I enjoy love am addicted to chocolate, and the darker the better. If you think that this is a simple straight forward chocolate upon chocolate recipe, then no … no no no.
Think of the darkest, most decadent chocolate that has been slapped around a bit by the heat of black pepper and the crazy yummy factor of candied bacon, and that’s this recipe of my twisted Death by Chocolate trifle. Oh so yum!
The kicker in this decadent dessert if the warmth of the black pepper added to the bodacious, dark chocolate brownies and also in the candied bacon. After I made a batch of these brownies, my kids appeared out of seemingly nowhere. I let them try a bit and mentioned nothing of what I had added. Later after rave reviews from my little people, I told them what I had added to that batch and with surprise their eyes popped out. They loved them!
Something tells me that I’m only allowed to have this dessert once in a blue moon, but nah … I’m not listening right now. Although this does come with a sort of disclaimer in the title of the recipe. My thoughts ~ indulge responsibly and enjoy.
Just remember to share and take it easy, because chocolate hangovers do exist!
Death by Chocolate
Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- 1 19.9 oz box Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix (I like to use Betty Crocker)
- 1 tsp Black Pepper ground
- ¼ tsp Salt
For the Candied Bacon:
- ½ cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Black Pepper ground
- 2 Tbls Maple Syrup
- 8 - 10 slices thick cut Smokey Bacon
Other Ingredients:
- 1 3.1 oz box Instant Chocolate Mousse, prepared according to directions (I use Dr. Oetkers Milk Chocolate, usually found in the pudding mix section)
- 2 1.45 oz bars of Dark Chocolate, broken into bite-sized chunks (I used Hershey's Special Dark this time)
- Dark Chocolate Hot Fudge Sauce and again - I used Hershey's Special Dark...this time
- ½ - ¾ cup Bits of English Toffee I used Heath Bits of Brickle Toffee usually found in the baking section
- Whipped Topping to garnish
Instructions
For the Brownies:
- Preheat oven to appropriate degrees for Brownie Mix. Prepare baking pan according to directions.
- In a medium bowl, add the required ingredients for the brownies, PLUS add in the Black Pepper and Salt, mixing well.
- Pour into prepared pan and bake according to directions. Remove and cool.
For the Candied Bacon:
- In a small bowl, mix together the Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup and Black Pepper until you have a paste like rub.
- On a jelly roll type baking sheet, line it with a silicone mat (preferred) or a double layer of foil and if you have a cooling rack place on top of baking sheet. Lay your strips of bacon out and cover the bacon with the rub (top side only is sufficient), transfer bacon onto cooling rack.
- Once brownies are done, adjust oven temperature to 400°F. Bake the bacon for 20 - 25 minute or until candied and caramel colored. *Note: you are caramelizing bacon, please use caution and don't cook until bacon is "crispy" like usual or you will burn the sugars. Bacon will firm up when cooled*
- Remove and cool.
For the Mousse:
- Prepare the Mousse according to directions, or use your favorite pre-made. Set aside.
To assemble the Trifle:
- In a straight sided tall bowl or trifle dish, start to layer with chunks of Brownies, Hot Fudge Sauce (does not have to cover completely), chunks of Chocolate pieces, Toffee bits, and Mousse.
- Repeat layering 1 - 2 more times with the last layer adding broken/torn pieces of Candied Bacon, a scattering of Toffee bits, a generous dollop of Whipped Topping and garnish with Candied Bacon on top.
- Keep chilled until ready to serve.
Notes
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Fresh bites, cozy vibes 😎
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