Update July 2019:
Back in 2011, I shared this Bacon Hearts Recipe with my readers for a budget Valentine’s Day idea, and everyone loved it. It’s been all over the internet and even featured in Ladies’ Home Journal (do you remember that magazine?). It’s been up on the blog for so long without any updates, so today I’ve decided to republish this recipe with updated tips and photos.
Tips for Baking that Bacon:
- The thing about this recipe is it needs a strip of thick and floppy bacon to work. If the bacon is too thin, it falls apart. If it’s thick but stiff, it will not bend into the heart shape.
- Be sure to keep an eye on your bacon while it’s baking. It can go from looking good to burnt in a short amount of time.
- If this is your first time making bacon hearts, maybe try baking a single piece as a trial run?
- A few readers have suggested using toothpicks to hold the heart shape together while baking. Soak the toothpicks in water before baking, so they don’t burn.
Bacon Hearts Recipe:
- 12 slices of thick and floppy bacon
- baking sheet
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 400.
- Cut the bacon slices in half.
- Using two pieces of the cut in half bacon, shape them into a heart on a sheet pan. Be sure the sheet pan has sides on it to keep the grease from dripping in the oven.
- Bake for 15 – 18 minutes or until cooked. Keep an eye on the bacon hearts while they cook! They can easily burn.
- When your hearts are done baking, place them on a paper towel to catch the bacon grease.
- These hearts are delicious on eggs, toast, salads, and more!
Now that your bacon hearts are cooked serve them on a fancy plate or a pretty box and share with your loved one. To transform this into a treat, maybe think about dipping the bacon heart in chocolate?
– Chelsey
Disclosure: I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. There are affiliate links in this post. Thank you for your support. I do hope you enjoy! P.S. Even the pioneer woman liked my bacon heart and that made my day.
Tags: bacon, baking, heart, love, recipe, valentines day
Categories: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, food
I love the heart idea but I don’t like bacon. Do you think I will still be able to make this?
Does the pan need to be greased? I tried these and they totally stuck to the pan and broke to pieces. I thought they'd produce enough on their own. I want it to work so bad!
I've never greased the pan, but maybe you could give it a try? If you use thin bacon it may break easier. I have a store we get our bacon and it's always thicker and floppy (perfect for bacon hearts).
would chicken bacon work or does it have to be original bacon? thanks!
I'm not sure. I've only ever tried pork. 🙂
Pingback: Valentine’s Schmalentine’s….Let’s Just Eat! | Crunchy Hot Mama
Pingback: Bacon St Patricks Style
Once the bacon is baked, does it hold the heart shape?
I'm not at all bacon-savvy, so I would like some bacon knowledge! (:
It should. BUT, When I buy more "stiff" bacon… it doesn't hold it's shape. That's sounds weird, but more pliable bacon is best. 🙂
Ok, I am pretty cooking illiterate…. How would you dip these in chocolate? Since they are just laid on top of each other to bake, wouldn't they fall apart? I LOVE the idea though, we had chocolate covered bacon a few years ago for christmas, they were amazing! I would live to make these for my hubby for Valentines 🙂
Hmmm… well, this will depend on the type of bacon. I have had issues with some bacon being too… tough? It wouldn't hold it's shape. You'll need floppy bacon. That will work best. Press the intersected bacon heart parts together. Baking should "glue them".
BUT, I feel if you're dipping them in chocolate you might want to use a skewer to hold it together. Soak your skewer in water for about an hour (so it doesn't burn in the oven) and skewer the intersected bacon parts. Bake. Dip in chocolate. I hope that works! Good luck!
My nine year old daughter and I are making these for my husband this morning for breakfast. He will love them!! Thanks for the idea!
Pingback: Alright Guys… | MooseInChartreuse
Pingback: Love, Love, Love « The Budget Maven
Pingback: Love, Love, Love « The Budget Maven
Do you think this tecnique words for the bacon roses, too? I want to make both for my husband.
I don't know! But, I'd say try. 🙂
Pingback: Mommon Sense for Valentine’s Day | Mommon Sense
Made these tonight and they were a huge hit. Thank you!
Pingback: Menu plan–February week 3 « Behind the [Kate]Ball
I’m making these out of turkey bacon cause we are dieting and putting dark chocolate on them. Can’t wait. Thanks
Great idea!
Cant do it this morning I work third she works first, have to make them this weekend to make up for it.
I agree. 🙂
I made these bacon hearts for my hubby's Valentine's Day breakfast. You can see that post here. I linked to you!
Cute! Lovely breakfast. 😀
I made these this morning along with heart shaped pancakes and heart shaped eggs. Sadly I overcooked the bacon and they came out as very small crispy hearts. Oh well next time I will turn the temp of the oven down. My boyfriend still appreciated the effort. Thanks for the great idea!
I tried. I failed. Then again, I tried on the stove top. I couldn’t get good shapes. But honestly, who is going to reject bacon in any shape??
Darn! But, I would never reject any bacon. ;D
Thank you for this great idea! I made them this weekend for our Valentine’s Brunch. Mine didnt turn out nearly as nice as yours though! I linked back to you on my post today. If you’d like to stop by and check it out, here’s the link: http://bit.ly/wrMudP
thanks again for the inspiration!
I am making these tomorrow morning for breakfast with heart shaped pancakes, strawberry jelly and strawberries cut in half 🙂 Thank you!
These are awesome! I actually made something really similar for my wife for Valentine's day, except that I used heart-shaped metal cookie cutters to form my bacon hearts. Then I covered them in chocolate of course! http://dudefoods.com/chocolate-covered-bacon-hear…
Heck yeah! Those are awesome!!! I love chocolate covered bacon. Yum!
Men's breakfast and prayer meeting at our church, every Tuesday morning. Making these for 40, tomorrow! =)
Blessings,
PK
Wonderful! enjoy!
This is a great idea! ALL men love bacon, and food is totally better than a cheesy craft (in my opinion). Thanks so much for the idea! 🙂
You're welcome!
Pingback: Valentine’s Day for Meat Lovers | How I Waste Time
Awesome. I’m totally doing this on Tuesday morning! <3
I just love this idea! Had to share on our Fun Finds Friday… http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/02…
This is going to make my boyfriend’s morning on VDay! So excited.
These are awesome! My hubby is going to be THRILLED when I make them for him. I host a weekly meme called Thematic Thursday. Each week has a theme and this would be perfect for this week’s Valentine’s theme.
Pingback: Stumbling Over Chaos :: Linkity has eyes like limpid pools
Pingback: Craving > Sweet on Sugar Cookies Plus Valentine’s Day Hearts | foodiecrush
I have bacon in freezer that I meant to cook up, but never did (I'm not a fan of cooking bacon). I'm so excited to finally cook it up on Valentine's day! This looks nice and simple and my husband will love it!
That looks amazing. So trying it tonight.
Tab
Pingback: Bacon Hearts, Stuffed Pretzels & Baked Oatmeal with Raspberries & Pistachios Delicious Links | My Blog
Just linked this on my blog =) http://www.craftingformommies.blogspot.com
what a great idea, I am going to make this for my 5 year old who loves bacon and all things "heart" shaped 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Who knew bacon could be cute?!
BRILLIANT.
Pinned this! YUM!
My local pizza shop is selling heart shaped pizza pie! I think the bacon hearts will be an amazing topping!! Thank you!
Heck yeah! A lovely addition.
Cool idea 🙂
BEST
Ummm I'd actually like to be given a plate of these myself, haha!
Yes! Me too…
Great idea! My hubs would love this!
Just pinned this so I can bake some yummy goodness on Valentine's Day! I'm sure my DD will get a kick out of it too. 🙂
LOVE this idea! I was planning on surprising my husband and girls with a Valentine's Day breakfast…already got stuff to decorate the table, but hadn't figured out the menu just yet. This will definitely be a part of it! Thank you for the awesome, but frugal idea! =)
Ooh those look so good!! Congrats about the PW liking them too!! The original post link appears to be broken. 🙁
Oh yes. My site crashed again…. sigh. BUT, it's back up and should work. 🙂
Your link to the original post is not correct. It should be https://thepapermama.com/2011/02/wordlessish-wedne…
Now I just need a woman to make me these next week . . .