Easy to make, and a great gift for any bacon lover. Just be careful who you give it to. Because they will be begging you to make it again and again and again!!
Line a baking tray with baking paper (parchment paper).
Cut the bacon into 1.5cm / 0.6" pieces (remove rind if it has it).
Combine with remaining Candied Bacon ingredients in a bowl and use your fingers to coat the bacon.
Combine the Candied Nuts ingredients in a bowl and toss to combine.
Spread the Candied Bacon onto a baking tray and bake for 10 minutes, or until the sugar is bubbling and the bacon is starting to turn brown (i.e. almost cooked).
Remove the bacon from the tray using a slotted spatula (so you don't get too much bacon fat) and transfer it into the bowl with the nuts. Mix to combine.
Use a spatula to scrape and pour the excess oil off the parchment paper (this is what I did).
Pour the nuts back onto the baking tray and bake for 15 minutes, stirring once at half time.
Turn the oven off and open the door slightly. Leave for at least 15 minutes, then remove and allow to cool.
Break the candy into chunks. To store, place into an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator. (Note 4)
Notes
1. Center cut is lower in fat than streaky bacon. In Australia, the equivalent is middle bacon which is the type most commonly found at supermarkets. Streaky bacon can also be used but use 1 extra piece because the bacon is much fattier and the fat renders out when you bake it so you will end up with less bacon unless you use an extra piece.2. The original recipe calls for hot Hungarian Paprika. I couldn't find this, so I just used ordinary and added cayenne pepper for the heat. You could also use chili powder, but make sure it's pure chili powder, not American chili powder which is more like a seasoning which has other flavourings like onion powder in it.If you happen to have hot Hungarian Paprika, then you can use 1/2 tsp of it instead of 1/2 tsp ordinary paprika + 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper.3. Pumpkin Pie Spice is a spice blend used for pumpkin pie which you can buy pre blended in America. I make my own - it's very simple: 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder + 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg + 1/4 tsp all spice + 1/8 tsp ground ginger.4. I am not 100% sure how long it can be kept for. I have never seen it last more than 3 days, so I know it's fine for up to 3 days. It should be stored in the refrigerator - because of the bacon. Bring it to room temperature before serving.5. Nutrition assumes 6 servings but this does not take into account that the rendered fat is discarded.