Bacon Bourbon Brownies

So apparently using my stove and oven at the same time is a big no-no.  After fixing a few blown fuses in my apartment, I finally got these babies together.  I know it definitely sounds like a weird combination, but bacon, bourbon, and chocolate come together to make an amazing sweet and salty treat :)

Bacon Bourbon Brownies (adapted from Food and Wine)

Ingredients
6 pieces thick cut bacon
1 scant tablespoon bacon fat, reserved
1 stick + 2 tablespoons butter
8 - 9 oz bittersweet chocolate
2 oz semisweet chocolate
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons bourbon
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups flour
Sea salt for sprinkling

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper, allowing the paper to overhang on two opposite sides.  This will make the brownies easier to remove.  Spray with cooking spray
2. Cook the bacon until crisp.  Drain on paper towels and let cool.  Remember to reserve 1 tablespoon grease.  Finely chop the bacon.  Try not to eat all of the bacon; save some for the brownies
3. In a saucepan, over low heat, combine the butter and both chocolates.  Heat until melted and smooth.  Transfer to a large bowl
4. Beat in both sugars and reserved bacon grease.  Add the bourbon, eggs, and vanilla and whisk until smooth
5. In a small bowl, combine the cocoa and flour.  Mix into the wet ingredients until just combined.  Do not over mix
6. Scrap the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the bacon and sea salt on top.  Bake for about 40 - 45 minutes or until tester inserted has some batter clinging to it and edges are set
7. Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool completely.  Lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper.  Cut, serve, and enjoy :)

Before

After