Chocolate Bacon

Serving size: 2 pieces

Directions:

(Note: I used real pork bacon instead of turkey bacon.)

Cut a package of bacon into thirds (vertically, like PW does), while it is still in the package. Save the other 2/3 for when you want more chocolate bacon, because you will!

Place all the bacon, which should be approximately 20 short pieces, on the rack of an aluminum-lined baking pan. The rack is really important – you want that grease to drain away from the bacon. You will be eternally grateful for the aluminum, too, because cleanup will be a breeze.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes. No need to pre-heat the oven. After 20 minutes, take the pan out carefully. If it looks crispy, your job is done. The object is to get the bacon really crisp without burning or charring it.

If it’s appearance is not yet crispy, flip each piece over with a fork and place back into the oven for about 5 more minutes or until crispy. (Watch carefully so that it is not overcooked or doesn’t begin to smoke!)

Once cooked to a good crispiness, remove from the oven. Place pieces of bacon on a paper towel to drain any remaining grease.

Pour about 1/2 of the Hershey’s semi-sweet chips into a microwave-safe bowl.

*Note: We experimented with different brands and types of chips, i.e. milk chocolate, dark, etc. Semi-sweet won, hands down. Milk chocolate did *not* taste good to us.

Melt the chips on high for 10 seconds, then take them out and stir. Repeat this step until the chips are thoroughly melted and runny.

Once the chocolate is a good dipping consistency, place a piece of bacon into the bowl, so that chocolate covers one side. Flip the bacon piece over, and using a spoon, drip chocolate over that side until covered.

Use the spoon or your fingers to transport each piece to a wax-paper covered cookie sheet. Sprinkle each piece with 3 or 4 grains of sea salt. Don’t over-do it on the salt, because the bacon itself is salty.

Once all pieces are done, place in the freezer or refrigerator until the chocolate sets up and hardens. If you use the freezer, check frequently – it won’t take long – maybe 5 minutes or so.

That’s it! Enjoy the chocolate-y, salty, bacon-y goodness of it all!