Chocolate Dipped Bacon

by kelleymarie

 Chocolate dipped bacon is an instant dynamic duo. It's incredibly easy to make and a crowd pleaser every time with it's union of salty, crunchy, cured bacon and smooth, creamy, sugary chocolate.

You'll find it won't stay on the plate too long. Whip it up for your next party, decadent morning brunch, or just for fun. Enjoy, I did. :D

Step 1: Things You'll Need

 Gather the following:

• 1/2 Cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
• 1/4 Cup White Chocolate Chips*
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons Vegetable Shortening
• 1/2 Pound of Bacon
• Double Boiler**
• Cookie Sheet
• Spoon to Stir
• Wax Paper
• Aluminum Foil
• 1 Ziplock Bag

*NOTE: I just used the white chocolate for decorative detail. You can omit them from the recipe and just use your semisweet chocolate if you'd like. You could also make white chocolate covered bacon and omit the semisweet chocolate. Get creative!

**NOTE: You can substitute a pot with water covered with a bowl for a double boiler. You can also melt your chocolate chips in the microwave--if this is the case, follow the alternate instructions in step 3. 

Step 2: Bacon

 You'll want to cook your bacon first. I've found that the easiest way to get a large quantity of straight cooked bacon is in the oven. There is a great Instructable on this method if you want more detailed information.

Here are the steps I took:

1. Preheat your oven to 400F (204C).
2. Wrap a cookie sheet in aluminum foil. This will make it easier to clean up later. 
3. Lay your bacon strips on your cookie sheet. If you'd like bite sized chocolate bacon strips later, cut your bacon into halves or thirds now before you cook it. 
4. Place in your oven for 15-20 minutes, depending on your desired crispy bacon texture. Structurally, I've found that just barely crispy is good for your final chocolate covered bacon.

Remove your bacon from the oven and allow to cool on a paper towel covered plate. This will absorb remaining bacon grease. 

              

Step 3: Chocolate

 

                                                                                       

                                                                                       
 Waiting for your bacon to cool is a great time to melt your chocolate. Pull out your double boiler or create your own. You'll see in the photos that I created my own with a pot of water and a pyrex glass bowl that fits nicely on top.

Once your water is boiling, reduce it to a simmer. This will prevent any water from getting up and splashing into your bowl and chocolate mixture. If water gets into your bowl, your chocolate will seize, creating granular chunks.

Add your semisweet chocolate chips and shortening to your double boiler. Stir occasionally as the chocolate and shortening melt. Continue to heat and stir until both the chocolate and shortening are completely melted and uniform. Turn off the heat.

NOTE: Shortening is incorporated into the chocolate to thin the melted chocolate mixture. It makes it easier to dip things in and produces a smoother chocolate coating in the end product. I only used it with my semisweet chocolate chips, not with my white chocolate. It is not necessary by any means, but it does produce better results.

ALTERNATE METHOD, MICROWAVE: If you'd like you can also melt the chocolate using your microwave. Just place the shortening and chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30-45 seconds then remove and stir to combine. Continue to heat and stir until your chocolate and shortening are completely melted and uniformly mixed. 

Step 4: Dip

 

 

 Place a sheet of wax paper on your cookie sheet.

Dip your bacon (now cooled) into your hot chocolate mixture. I chose to cover only a portion of the bacon since I found it pleasing to still be able to see some bacon in the end product. If you'd like to, cover the entire strip.

Once dipped to your liking, place your bacon on your wax paper. Continue with all of your strips of bacon. Chill your bacon strips in your fridge until chocolate is solid.  

Step 5: White Chocolate

 

While your chocolate bacon is cooling, melt your white chocolate chips using instructions from step 3. Once the white chocolate has melted, use a rubber spatula to scrape it into a clean ziplock bag. Cut a small corner off of your ziplock bag that you can squeeze your chocolate out of.   

Step 6: Decorate

 

Using the ziplock bag, squeeze out your white chocolate into any design you want. Once you're done decorating, pop your bacon back into the fridge. Cool in the refrigerator until the chocolate is hardened.

Get creative and have fun with your bacon bits. :D 

Step 7: Fancy Brunch Anyone?

 

 

Take your chocolate dipped bacon to your next potluck, party, or serve it at a decadent brunch! It definitely goes well with pancakes. Enjoy your new sweet and salty dynamic duo!