BOURBON BACON APPLE TARTS

Bourbon Bacon Apple Tarts image

Provided by Brian Boitano

Time 1h30m

Yield 24 pieces

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

Candied Bacon:
4 slices bacon
3 tablespoons raw sugar
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
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
Pinch salt
2 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Put a baking rack onto a baking sheet. Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray and lay the bacon on the rack in a single layer. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the raw sugar. Put the pan in oven and bake for 8 minutes. Flip the bacon and sprinkle it with the remaining sugar. Return to the oven and bake until the bacon is browned and crisp, another 8 minutes. Remove the bacon from rack, transfer to a plate, and set it aside to cool completely. Once cool, break the candied bacon into small shards to use for a garnish on the tarts and reserve.
Unfold the puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface and roll the sheet out slightly. Using a 2-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out 24 rounds. Place 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. When done remove them from the oven and set aside to cool.
In a medium bowl, add the diced apples and toss with the lemon juice. Add the cinnamon, maple syrup, 1/4 cup bourbon, butter, and brown sugar to the apples, and stir to combine. In a large skillet, heat the apple mixture over medium-low heat. Cook until the apples are tender and the liquid has thickened, about 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside to cool. Mix the 2 slices cooked and crumbled bacon into the apple filling.
In a large, chilled bowl combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon bourbon. Whip with a hand mixer to soft peaks.
Using the tip of a spoon, carefully remove a little circle of puff pastry from the center of each tart round, creating a well. Fill each pastry with 1 tablespoon of the apple filling. Put the filled tarts on a serving platter. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with a shard of the candied bacon.