The only thing better than enjoying a favorite food is combining it with another favorite food.

Ice cream and cake, cheeseburgers and fries, and chocolate and bacon are all tasty treats that are better when eaten together.

Yes, you read that right: chocolate and bacon.

While people may consider the fusion of chocolate and bacon to be an unholy matrimony, this guilty pleasure is both delicious and easy to make at home.

Chocolate Covered Bacon

1/2 pound of thick-cut bacon

1 package (12 ounces) of semi-sweet chocolate chips

sprinkles and brown sugar (optional)

Start by placing the bacon onto a large frying pan a few strips at a time and turn the stove on to a low heat.

Starting the bacon in a cold pan allows the bacon fat to come out slowly instead of all at once, reducing the mess pan-frying bacon often creates.

Once the bacon starts sizzling, turn the heat up to medium and turn the bacon once when edges start turning a bright red.

As an alternative, bacon can also be oven-baked by placing the bacon on a baking rack over a cookie sheet at 425 F for 20 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.

After the bacon has finished cooking, place the strips over some paper towels to drain the excess fat.

Pat down the tops of the strips with another paper towel and let the bacon cool.

Wick away as much of the bacon fat as possible, as the chocolate will not stick to the strips if the bacon is too greasy.

While the bacon is cooling, place the chocolate chips into a large glass mixing bowl.

Put a cup of water into a small saucepan and turn the stove’s heat to a low setting.

Place the mixing bowl on top of the saucepan and let the chocolate melt while stirring frequently.

Watch the chocolate carefully, as it tends to burn if left unattended for too long. Once the bacon is cool, dip each strip into the warm chocolate and let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl.

To add some color and extra flavor to the bacon, use some sprinkles, brown sugar or chocolate chips to each strip while the chocolate is still warm.

Place the strips on a baking sheet covered in wax paper and refrigerate them for 15 minutes or until the chocolate has fully hardened. Once the chocolate has hardened, the sweet and salty snack is ready to enjoy.

This tasty treat can also be turned into a vegan delicacy by replacing the bacon with Light-life smart bacon and by using chocolate without any animal byproducts. Guittard semisweet chocolate chips are great for vegans.

These and other vegan dessert options can be found at most grocery stores.

Miguel Lopez can be reached at [email protected] and Miguel Razo can be reached at [email protected]