Business & Tech

Farmers Market Find: Chocolate Covered Bacon

You know about the fresh produce and flowers, but there's so much more. Every week we will share what's new, interesting and in season at the Royal Oak Farmers Market.

“When people hear ‘chocolate covered bacon’ they usually make a face. Then they try it and say, ‘Oh, I’ll take two more pieces,”  manager Pam Stodola said. “What is there not to like about bacon and chocolate? HELLO!?”

Chocolate-covered bacon is a new offering from Hermann’s that is available only at the . Stodola has been trying it out on marketgoers for about a month, offering a strip for 75 cents.

The unusual dessert is the perfect combination of sweet and salty, and smooth and crispy. If you like chocolate covered pretzels, Stodola says you'll like this, too.

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 “We’re able to try things at the market that we can’t at the store, because the market has thousands of people come through it — more people than our daily foot traffic at the store. We like to bring things to test.”

Entertainer Dave Boutette, who plays guitar and sings at the market, has tried it. “It’s not even an acquired taste,” he said. “The first time you try it, you’ll like it.” Boutette said he likes it so much that he tried to make it on his own, but found it problematic.

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Stodola says the trick is how you prepare the bacon. “I microwave it. If you fry it, the bacon will want to curl and it gets blubbery.” She uses a special plate for her microwave that has ridges to collect grease. She wraps the bacon in paper towel and lays it flat. She cooks it for 3 ½ to 5 minutes.

The cooked bacon gets dipped in chocolate. Hermann’s Bakery uses Merckens Chocolate, but Stodola says any milk chocolate will do. For example, melted Hersey bars are acceptable. Using tongs, she lays the bacon flat in the melted chocolate.

“It will float, so I cover one side with chocolate and then I flip it to do the other. I take it out and look for places I missed, then I shake it to get the excess off. I lay the finished bacon flat on parchment paper," she said.

Stodola prepares the bacon late on Friday night to take to the market on Saturday.

Another fabulous treat from Hermann’s that you’ll only find at the Farmers Market is Butterkuchen, a German recipe for butter cake consisting flour, sugar, butter and almonds.

Hermann’s Bakery is located at 317 S. Main St. in downtown Royal Oak. At the Farmers Market you’ll find Hermann's just south of the main east entrance.

What is one of your favorite unusual offerings at the Royal Oak Farmers Market?


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