Bacon-Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe - Posted by popular demand

I heard a fable of an exotic bacon-chocolate chip cookie, which had made an appearance at a party I’d sadly missed. Having been notable enough to be the most mentionable event of the party, I was intrigued. Later, after seeing a lot of online talk about the bacon chocolate bars, I decided to investigate this mythical cookie, intending to recreate its magic for myself.

With the incentive of a party invite, I searched the internet and finally uncovered a recipe in the cache of a defunct blog (RIP neverbashfulwithbutter.com, thanks for the inspiration!). To this, I added a real maple glaze. The cookie was well received (all gone), and I shared a picture on line.

I’ve now had about a dozen requests for the recipe, so why not post it here?

This obviously is NOT health food! But truly a divine treat - containing two of the world’s most loved foods in one cookie! Plus, the maple icing adds a fantastic bridge to lift the sultry smokiness of the bacon to its fully realized high chocolate note.

The trend this anti-shopping holiday season is toward making gifts for the yuletide - imagine the delight and surprise of your family and friends after receiving these delectable beauties from your kitchen!

THE RECIPE

Makes one dozen cookies

1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup white granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour (I prefer to mix 1 c unbleached white with 1/2 c of Whole Wheat pastry flour, but all white will do)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup bacon bits (this must be REAL bacon that you cooked to crispness, drained of fat on paper towels, and then chopped into bits yourself - nothing less will do! As far as quantity, I used a bit less than 1 pound of bacon to make the cup, leaving out three strips for garnish. But you can adjust according to your bravery or taste.)

ALL TOGETHER NOW

Soften the butter to room temperature before you begin. Beat the butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs until well creamed. Sift together the flours, salt, and baking soda. Add the dry mix to the butter and cream mix, and stir together until a batter forms. Add the chocolate chips and bacon bits and stir until combined. Spoon a generous dollop onto a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet (or an oil misted cookie sheet will do, though parchment paper keeps your cookie sheet nicer). Place the dollops at least an inch apart.

Bake cookies for approximately 11 minutes, or until the dough starts to turn brown along the edges. Remove the cookies and allow them to cool while you prepare the glaze.

REAL MAPLE GLAZE

6 level tablespoons confectioner’s sugar
2 tablespoons real maple syrup

Sift the sugar into the syrup. Whisk together vigorously until smooth and creamy.

Place the glaze on the cooled cookies, working with two spoons to help you edge the sticky sweet glob onto the cookie. Top with a piece of crisped bacon.

A NOTE ABOUT INGREDIENTS

I recommend using nitrate-free bacon, which can be had at organic grocers or ordered online. The very finest in bacon comes from Benton’s in Tennessee and can be ordered from Zingerman’s.

Always use the freshest and highest quality eggs and butter you can find. The quality of these ingredients is THE difference between good and amazing baking.

I think you’ll love this cookie as much as my friends and I did. Enjoy!