Candied Bacon Fudge

To prepare candied bacon: coat bacon strips generously on both sides with brown sugar. Carefully arrange on sheet pan lined with aluminum foil or baking paper.

Place in a cold oven, turn heat on to 350°F and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until crisp, taking care not to burn during last 10 minutes of cooking. Drain thoroughly. Cool candied bacon strips.

Line a 4 1/2-inch x 9-inch loaf pan with foil or baking paper, extending foil over edges of pan.

To prepare fudge: Combine sugar, butter and evaporated milk in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 4 minutes or until a candy thermometer reads 234°F, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Add chocolate, marshmallow crème and vanilla; stir until completely blended and chocolate is melted.

Arrange 2 strips candied bacon in bottom of lined baking pan; top with 1/4 of the fudge. Repeat with 3 more layers of bacon and fudge. Top fudge with 2 remaining strips of candied bacon. Cover and refrigerate for until firm.

To serve: carefully lift fudge out of baking pan; slice into 1/2 -inch slabs.