Dark Chocolate Bacon Haystacks

These are ever so wonderful little candies, the bacon adds such a smoky savory flavor.

• 1 cup dark chocolate, I used a 4.4 ounce dark chocolate bar
• 3/4 cup slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup flaked coconut 
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup bacon cooked and crumbled*
• 1/3 teaspoon sea salt

1. Place chocolate in a microwave safe Pyrex type glass bowl. The heavy glass bowl will hold heat, which will keep the melted the chocolate warm. Microwave the chocolate in 30 second increments, stirring after each 30 interval to see how the chocolate is melting, once it is mostly all melted I let the warm bowl finish the job, total of 3 - 4 microwaving rounds usually works for me.  
2. Add to the warmed chocolate the almonds and coconut flake. Stir to combine.
3. On a wax paper lined cookie sheet, drop spoonfuls of mixture. makes about 12 candies. sprinkle sea salt on top of mounds. 
4. Allow to set as is or place cookie sheet in refrigerator to set. 
5. Store in airtight container.

*The more bacon, the more smokey flavor. If you haven't tried out the bacon chocolate combination, try the quarter cup on the first batch, it will be more subtle but still wonderful. If you have eaten a bacon camdy bar wanting more bacon goodness, go for the half cup. 

I think vegan coconut flake bacon would do well in this recipe. Go ahead, Google it. It is depending on the recipe large unsweetened coconut flakes marinated in a concoction something like; liquid smoke, worchesshire sauce, and brown sugar. Then baked on parchment paper to get crunchy and amazing.