Dulce de Leche Bars with Bacon-Pecan Shortbread Crust

This rich and decadent bar cookie is so full of sweet, creamy goodness courtesy of dulce de leche. It could put you in a sugar coma on its own, but have no fear, bacon is here to help balance that sweetness with a nice pop of bittersweet chocolate, salt, and smoke. Don’t thank me, thank the bacon. If you prefer a less intense chocolate flavor, substitute semisweet or milk chocolate for the bittersweet.