When we think of bark, we usually think of the holidays. It's hard not to, since holiday barks are hard to miss during the season: everything from peppermint and white chocolate, to nut and dried fruit bark. And, it's also the time of the year when we too traditionally tend to make this treat.These are, after all, perfect ingredients to add to chocolate, so we threw on our Jack Daniel's apron (it's a must for cooking with Jack), got to making some Jack Daniel's Whiskey Bacon Caramel Bark, and never looked back.

But when we stumbled upon a bark recipe with marshmallows, caramel, whiskey, and bacon, we had to break tradition, and make some in July (gasp).

Before You Start Making Jack Daniel's Whiskey Bacon Caramel Bark

Weigh/Measure all of your ingredients Prepare an 8x8 pan - line it with parchment paper (leaving a little paper overhang so you can remove the bark from the pan for cutting) and then coat with a non-stick cooking spray. Tip: spray the cooking spray on a paper towel and then rub on parchment, this way it doesn't pool on the bottom of the pan Prepare your caramel so it can cool before you put together the other elements Fry bacon for best results, but use microwavable bacon for ease. Cut into bits

Jack Daniel's Whiskey Bacon Caramel Bark Ingredients

Caramel 1 cup (240g) heavy cream 1 cup + 2 tbsp (225g) granulated sugar 3 tbsp (42g) unsalted butter 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp (205g) light corn syrup 1/4 tsp (1.5g) salt 1/4 tsp (1g) vanilla extract

Rest Of Bark 10 oz (280g) of semi-sweet chocolate 2 cups (100g) mini-marshmallows 1 tbsp (14g) unsalted butter 1 tbsp (14g) Jack Daniel's Whiskey 2-3 strips of bacon, cut into bits

Jack Daniel's Whiskey Bacon Caramel Bark Step-By-Step Directions

How To Make The Caramel 1) In a large saucepan, combine heavy cream, sugar, butter, and light corn syrup. Bring this to a boil on high till sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally.



2) Once the mixture comes to a big boil, reduce heat to medium and let it boil until it reaches 248 degrees (F) on a candy thermometer. This can take about 15-20 minutes.



3) Once it reaches 248 degrees (F), remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.



4) Let the caramel cool as you make the other components.



NOTE: Please be careful as the caramel is extremely hot, and we don't want you to burn your fingers.



How To Assemble The Bark NOTE: Please be careful as the caramel is extremely hot, and we don't want you to burn your fingers.

1) Melt 5 oz (140g) of the semi-sweet chocolate on a double boiler. If you don't have a double boiler you can use a heatproof bowl on a saucepan with simmering water.



2) Pour the melted chocolate in the prepared 8x8 inch pan with the greased parchment paper liner, and place in the freezer.



3) Next melt the marshmallows and butter in a saucepan till smooth, take off heat and mix in the Jack Daniel's Whiskey.



4) Pour marshmallow mixture on the frozen chocolate layer and put back in the freezer for about 10 minutes.



5) After the marshmallow layer is set, pour the cooled caramel as your next layer and place back in freezer for about 10 minutes.



6) Melt the remaining 5 oz (140g) of semi-sweet chocolate and layer on top of the caramel smoothing with an offset spatula. Sprinkle bacon pieces onto the chocolate while it's still melted.



7) Place back in the freezer for about an hour or until completely set.



8) Remove bark using the parchment paper and cut as you prefer.