Maple Bacon Kong Filler

Maple. Bacon. Ice. Cream.

This recipe is adapted from  Apron Strings. The Apron Strings version is for humans. My version is for canines. It is dairy free and has two ingredients that are considered "super foods": Coconut and maple syrup.
 

• Coconut oil has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antimicrobial properties. That is a lot of "anti". Because of this, it can support your canine against illness and help speed the healing process. You can read more about it here. (and all the other amazing health benefits.)
•  Maple syrup is rich in Manganese, zinc and natural antioxidants. It also has a lower Glycemic Index than regular sugar. But let's face it, sugar is sugar and it's not entirely good for dogs. They should only have it occasionally. So, this recipe is a sometimes treat. Do not try to substitute with artificial sweeteners--which are poisonous to dogs.

Adapted For Dogs--Maple Bacon Kong Filler
Ingredients:

• 1//2 lb of bacon
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 can regular coconut milk
• 1/4 c. maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp of kosher salt

1. Fry bacon until it is crisp and brown. Let cool and then crumble. Set aside. 
2.  Heat water in a small saucepan and set a metal bowl on top (or just use a double boiler if you have one); make sure the water doesn’t  touch the bottom of the bowl. Add coconut milk, as it heats up, whisk until smooth. You want the coconut milk to heat up, but you do not want it to boil! Once it’s hot, add about 1/4 cup of the coconut milk to the egg yolks and whisk vigorously. Continue this process of adding 1/4 cup of coconut milk to the eggs and whisking until you have used 1/2 the coconut milk. The slow introduction of the milk (aka "tempering") is to prevent the eggs from overcooking or scrambling. Now, add this mixture back into the "double boiler" with the rest of the coconut milk.
3. Continue whisking for another 5-10 minutes until the mixture starts to thicken. 
4. Remove from heat and add the maple syrup, salt and bacon bits. Refrigerate for about an hour.
5. Either transfer it to your ice cream maker and follow the manufacture directions OR transfer to a tupperware and place in the freezer. If you go the tupperware route, you will need to stir it occasionally as it gradually freezes in order to minimize ice crystals forming.

Once it's "soft ice cream" consistency, you can now transfer it to your kongs and then continue freezing. You can also get creative with this recipe and put it in ice cube trays. Or, you can skip the whole kong hassle and just give them a bit in their bowl. It will probably not last as long as it would in a kong, though! Remember: because this recipe contains a bit of salt and some sugar (maple syrup), it should be a "sometimes" treat! I hope your dog enjoys!