Prepare for an explosion of flavors and textures that will make “Everything’s Bacon Better!” We start with tender corn kernels enveloped in a luscious, melted blend of cream cheese and sharp cheddar, punctuated by the spicy kick of diced jalapeños. But the magic truly happens with the generous swirls of homemade smoky bacon jam, adding a profound layer of savory, sweet, and caramelized deliciousness. To finish, a golden, crunchy topping seasoned with “Everything Bagel” spices delivers an irresistible garlicky, oniony, and seedy crunch. This bake is comforting, exciting, and utterly unforgettable.

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Everything’s Bacon Better Corn Bake

This unique and decadent corn bake reinvents the classic jalapeño popper, featuring sweet corn kernels baked in a creamy, spicy, and cheesy base swirled with rich bacon jam, all crowned with a crispy, savory "Everything Bagel" seasoned topping.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American, Fusion, Tex-Mex

Keyword Bacon jam, Cheesy, Corn, Jalapeno, Spicy

Prep Time 1 hour hour

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 8 Servings

Author Chef Cameron

Ingredients

For the Smoky Bacon Jam:

• 1 lb bacon cut into ½-inch pieces
• 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup or more brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Everything Bagel Crust Topping:

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter ½ stick, melted
• 2 Tbsp Everything Bagel seasoning
• ¼ tsp garlic powder optional, for extra kick

For the Jalapeño Popper Corn Bake:

• 4 cups corn kernels fresh, frozen thawed, or canned and drained
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese or a Mexican blend
• 2-3 large jalapeños finely diced (remove seeds for less heat)
• ½ small red onion finely diced (optional, for extra bite)
• 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• ½ tsp salt adjust to taste, bacon jam adds salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

Make the Smoky Bacon Jam:

• In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Drain off all but about 2 Tbsp of bacon fat from the pot.
• Add the thinly sliced yellow onion to the pot and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and very soft, about 20-30 minutes. Be patient; this step is key for flavor.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
• Stir in the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
• Return the cooked bacon to the pot. Simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly reduced and the jam is thick and glossy.
• Transfer the bacon jam to a heatproof container. It will thicken further as it cools. You can make this up to a week ahead and store it in the refrigerator.

Prepare the Everything Bagel Crust Topping:

• In a medium bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, Everything Bagel seasoning, and optional garlic powder.
• Toss well until the panko is evenly coated. Set aside.

Assemble the Corn Bake:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the corn kernels, softened cream cheese, sour cream, 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, finely diced jalapeños, optional diced red onion, fresh lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined and creamy.
• Spoon half of the corn mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• Dollop about ½ cup of the prepared Smoky Bacon Jam evenly over the corn mixture. Swirl gently with a knife or spoon, but don’t fully mix it in.
• Top with the remaining corn mixture.
• Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top.

Bake the Corn Bake:

• Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the corn bake is bubbly around the edges and heated through.
• Remove from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the Everything Bagel Crust Topping over the top of the bake.
• Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.

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