Candied Bacon Chocolate Cupcakes

Bake the cupcakes according to package directions (combine the mix with the eggs, water and vegetable oil specified on your mix package; then bake at the time and temp specified on the box). Once cooled, frost with the frosting.

Now as for the bacon, it’s not as hard as you might think!

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Line a cookie sheet with foil to catch the bacon drippings. Place your bacon on a broiling pan or rack that will rest on top of the cookie sheet.

Mix sugar and chipotle pepper and place on plate. Dip each piece of bacon in the sugar mixture so that it is coated evenly. Place on the baking rack/broiler pan. Repeat with each piece.

Bake the bacon for 15-20 minutes until it begins to get a little cripsy. Resist the urge to place the bacon on paper towels when you take out of the oven because it will stick!

Once cool enough to handle, slice the bacon so as to resemble “bacon confetti” that will be the topping for your cupcakes.

After cupcakes have been frosted, add the “bacon confetti” to your cupcakes.

Prepare for “oohing and aaaahing” when you bring them to your friend’s house. Prepare for additional “oohing” when people actually eat them!