Twice Baked Sweet Potato With Bacon Brittle

Bacon….do I  really need to say more??? Switch up those same ‘ol, same ‘ol, holiday potatoes. This dish can be made hours before and the brittle the day before. Depending on the size of your party, make individual potatoes or serve casserole style. The bacon brittle adds a nice salty/sweet treat without the marshmallows!!!  (Please, people!!)

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Bacon Sesame Brittle

(adapted from Bon Appetit)

Serves 8

4 slices of bacon, cut into 1/2 inch wide pieces

1/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoons sesame seeds

6 medium sweet potatoes

2 large eggs

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

Salt and pepper

2 scallions, thinly slice dark parts only

Bacon Brittle. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Cook bacon in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat until most of the fat is rendered and bacon is starting to crisp. Transfer bacon over a sieve set over a small bowl, reserve drippings. Return bacon, 1 tablespoon drippings, sugar, and sesame seeds to same skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar turns the color of milk chocolate, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to prepared baking sheet and use spatula to spread out evenly, let cool. Break brittle into shards. (Can be made 1 day ahead and stored in an air tight container.)

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place sweet potatoes on a foil lined baking sheet. Roast until tender 45 to 55 minutes, cool. Slice potatoes in half length wise. In a large bowl, scoop out flesh from 8 halves, leaving a 1/2 inch thick layer inside skins. Place potato halves on same foil lined baking sheet. Scoop flesh from the remaining 4 halves, discard skins. In a bowl mash flesh with a whisk. Add eggs, butter, salt and pepper and stir until mixture is smooth. Spoon or pipe filling into reserved skins. Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Bake potatoes until the tops are lightly puffed and golden brown, 30-35 minutes. (They will take longer if the potatoes have been chilled.) Top potatoes with bacon brittle and scallions.

This brittle is AMAZING!!! Think vanilla ice cream, breakfast and on and on and on and on………..