Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies

Using bacon in sweet applications seems to be all the rage, so of course I had to try it.   I candied the bacon in these cookies before chopping it up and adding it to the batter.  When I showed up at work and told people that there was bacon in the chocolate chip cookies I was met with skepticism.  However, everyone who tried the cookies thought they were good and the cookies soon vanished.  The candied bacon provides a sweet, salty, and smoky burst that really compliments the dark chocolate chips.  This cookie makes me think of my maternal grandmother, who never met a piece of bacon she didn't like, and who also happens to be one of the best bakers around.

The bacon goes into the oven sprinkled with brown sugar.

After baking, the bacon is dark and sweet.

The bacon is diced and mixed into the dough.

The end result is an interesting and delicious cookie!

BACON CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
From Hannah's Kitchen

INGREDIENTS - CANDIED BACON
12 slices thick-cut bacon
1/4 cup brown sugar

INGREDIENTS - COOKIES
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
12 slices candied bacon, diced
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
1. For the bacon: preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Place bacon on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Sprinkle bacon with half of the brown sugar.  Bake for about 15 minutes total.  Halfway through the baking time, flip the slices of bacon over, drag them through the syrupy liquid in the pan, and sprinkle the slices with the remaining brown sugar.  Continue baking until bacon reaches a dark mahogany color.  Remove to a wire rack to cool.  Once bacon is cool and crisp, dice into small bits.

2. For the cookies: preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Cream butter, shortening, and sugars together until light and fluffy.  Mix in vanilla and eggs until combined.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda.  Add flour mixture to butter mixture until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips and bacon pieces.  Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are set and just turning light brown.  Cool on cookie sheets for a few minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

This post is linked to Sweets for a Saturday and Sweet Tooth Friday.