Cut bacon in small pieces and cook over medium-high heat until no fat is visible.

Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towels.

Set bacon aside to cool.

Line cookie sheet with non-stick foil or wax paper sprayed with baking spray.

Add powdered sugar and mix until sugar has disappeared.

The mixture should be the consistency of a peanut butter cup center. Add more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time until that consistency is reached.

Roll peanut butter mixture into equal sized balls.

Set balls on prepared cookie sheet.

Place cookie sheet in the freezer and leave until balls are firm.

While waiting for peanut butter balls to firm up, place bacon into a food processor and grind until only small pieces remain. This can also be done in a blender or finely minced with a knife.

Place bacon pieces into a clean skill and cook over medium heat until all pieces are completely brown, stirring frequently. More fat will be rendered during this process.

Once bacon is completely cooked and no more fat is being rendered, removed from pan and drain on paper towels again. Set aside to cool.

Melt chocolate and shortening together in a double boiler set to simmer. Microwave can be used by microwaving chocolate and shortening in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval. This method may require reheating during the coating step.

Place a sheet of wax paper or aluminum foil on another cookie sheet and place on workspace near the chocolate.

Place bacon into a bowl and place near the chocolate station.

Remove peanut butter balls from freezer.

Remove balls, one at a time using a toothpick or candy making dipper.

Dip 2/3 of the ball into chocolate, leaving the top 1/3 uncoated.

Let excess chocolate drip back into melted chocolate.

Immediately set chocolate covered balls into bacon bits and cover wet chocolate with as much bacon as you would like.

Set coated balls on lined cookie sheet.

Allow chocolate to set completely before attempting to move them onto a serving plate. They can be refrigerated at this point for a quicker setting.

Store at room temperature, refrigerator, or freezer.