B acon fat has a unique, rounded, umami-rich flavor that works well in both sweet and savory dishes. Therefore, it 🎅 is always a good idea to save any leftover bacon fat after cooking. Make sure to scrape the bottom of 🎅 the pan to get all the flavorful, caramelized bacony bits. Bacon fat can make almost any dish more delicious and 🎅 add an extra boost of flavor. Use it for sautéing potatoes, frying chicken or, if you want to elevate your 🎅 dessert game, making today's bacon fat salted caramel. I love it drizzled over popcorn or pancakes, but my favorite is 🎅 to use it as a topping for vanilla ice cream. Also, you don't even need to use any salt because 🎅 the fat alone gives the caramel a good, salty twang.

Bacon Fat Salted Caramel

This alchemical, mood-enhancing, and furiously tasty 🎅 recipe transforms those icky bits of gooey, caramelized bacon fat stuck to the bottom of the frying pan into a 🎅 luxuriant and thought-provoking dessert. If you want to add further depth of flavor, use smoked bacon (smoked sea salt would 🎅 also work).

Serves 2-4

2-3 tbsp bacon fat (or a mix of bacon fat and butter)
50g brown sugar
80ml double cream
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Serve hot just as it is, poured over popcorn, pancakes, or ice 🎅 cream. Alternatively, decant into a jar or container and leave to cool. Seal and store in the fridge for up 🎅 to three weeks or the freezer for a few months. Bring back to room temperature before using; and if it 🎅 crystallizes, simply bring to a boil.