(my entry into the Chocolate Adventure Recipe Contest)

What could be better than Dark Chocolate, Squishy Maple Marshmallows and Crisp Bacon? I know, right? So this is what I came up with for this years Chocolate Adventure Recipe Contest using Scharffen Berger chocolate and cacao nibs.
Without further ado, here’s my recipe for Chocolate Bacon S’mores
Ingredients:
For the Bacon
-12 oz. Bacon, Applewood Smoked
-1 9.7 oz. Baking Bar Scharffen Berger Chocolate 62% Cacao Semisweet
-1/2 cup Scharffen Berger Roasted Cacao Nibs
For the Maple Syrup Marshmallows
-3 Packets of gelatin (approximately 3 tbsp.)
-1/2 cup water
-2 cups maple syrup (Amber Grade B makes beautiful, rich tasting off-white marshmallows)
-1/4 tsp. salt
-1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
For the Chocolate Wafers
-1 cup butter
-1 1/4 cups sugar
-1 large egg
-1 teaspoons vanilla extract
-2 1/2 cups flour, all-purpose
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-5/8 cups Scharffen Berger Natural cocoa powder (unsweetened)
Preparation:
Make the Marshmallows:
-Pour gelatin and water into mixer bowl.
-Cook the maple syrup to 250 degrees (hard-ball stage). Pour it slowly into the gelatin-water mixture while the mixer is running on low.
-Add the salt and cream of tartar.
-As it starts to get fluffy, crank the mixer up on high. Once it is very fluffy and seems to be done growing, pour the mixture into a greased 8″ by 8″ pan.
-Let it set for an hour or two.
-Once it’s firm you’ve got marshmallows. Cut them into 1 1/2″ thick strips and each strip into 4 equal pieces. This should get you about 20 marshmallow squares.
Bake the Chocolate Wafers:
-Cut two 14×12 inch pieces of waxed paper or plastic wrap; set aside.
-In a bowl, cream butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
-In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda and cocoa powder.
-Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture until evenly distributed.
-Divide dough into 2 pieces.
-Shape each piece into a square log, about 8 inches long, and wrap each log in plastic wrap.
-Place in freezer container with a tight-fitting lid, or wrap airtight in a piece of foil.
-After 2 hours or more, slightly thaw a roll of dough.
-Preheat oven to 350F.
-Lightly grease baking sheets.
-Slice dough into very thin slices in order to make crispy wafers
-Arrange slices on prepared baking sheets about 1/2 inch apart
Bake 8 minutes until cookies are set on edges and slightly firm on top.
Remove cookies and cool on wire racks.
Make the Chocolate Bacon:
Crisp the bacon:
-Line a baking pan with foil and lay down the bacon strips.
-Bake at 400º F for 10 to 15 minutes or more until the bacon is crisp. Crisp bacon is best for this recipe.
-Drain and cool the bacon on paper towels
-Once cooled, cut each slice of bacon into three equal pieces
Coat the bacon in chocolate:
-Prepare a double-boiler on the stove top with a glass bowl for melting the chocolate
-Chop the chocolate into small pieces suitable for melting
-For best results temper the chocolate following these steps: http://www.scharffenberger.com/howto.asp#temper
-When the chocolate is melted and warm on the double-boiler, dip each piece of bacon into the chocolate using a fork and coat thoroughly. With the bacon resting on the fork, tap the fork on the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate from the bacon.
-Place the dipped bacon strip on wax paper to cool.
-Sprinkle the cocoa nibs on the bacon strips while they are still warm.
-Repeat until all the bacon strips are completed.
Assemble the Chocolate Bacon S’mores:
-Turn your broiler to high
-For each s’more place one marshmallow on top of a wafer and broil each marshmallow until toasty
-Top with 2 to 3 chcolate bacon strips, and enjoy while hot.
Recipe Help credit goes to:
http://www.squidoo.com/marshmallow
http://recipes.recipeland.com/recipes/recipe/show/Slice_&_Bake_Chocolate_Wafer_Cookies_23302
and my Wife, Hannah
The text of the letter:From Branch Banking & Trust Co.September 23, 2008
Dear Senator/Congressman/Representative:
BB&T is a $136 billion multi-state banking company. We have 1,500 branches throughout the mid-Atlantic and southeast states. While we have been impacted by the real estate markets, we continue to have healthy profitability and a strong capital position.
We think it is important that Congress hear from the well run financial institutions as most of the concerns have been focused on the problem companies. It is inappropriate that the debate is largely being shaped by the financial institutions who made very poor decisions.
Attached are the issues that we believe are relevant from the perspective of healthy banks. Your consideration of these issues is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, John Allison
Key Points on “Rescue” Plan From A Healthy Bank’s Perspective