Cooking Therapy

It’s that time of year again, where with the colder weather comes more baking! I am most welcoming of that. We’re starting off baking season with these simple and tasty Maple Bourbon Chocolate Chip Bacon Cookies. I know that’s a mouthful to say, but so are these cookies when you eat them. The perfect anytime snack and a great combination of both salty and sweet. Try them today!

MAPLE BOURBON BACON COOKIES

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Makes about 24 cookies

Ingredients:

¾ pound thick cut bacon, diced

2 ½ cups all-purpose Flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon baking powder

1 stick of unsalted butter, at room temperature

¼ cup reserved bacon fat, at room temperature

1 cup white sugar

¼ cup of maple bourbon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs, at room temperatures

8 ounces dark chocolate chopped or chocolate chips

Instructions:

• Cook bacon in a large skillet or frying pan until crispy and golden brown. Set aside on a cooling rack or a paper towel lined plate to drain any excess fat. Reserve the bacon fat to use in the cookies
• In a medium sized bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside
• In another separate bowl, either that of a stand mixer or one you can use with an electric mixer, whisk together the butter, bacon fat, and sugar until light and fluffy over a medium-high speed
• Then add the eggs one at a time, continuing to mix. Add the bourbon and vanilla extract and continue to mix
• Decrease the mixer to a low speed and slowly add the flour mixture to the egg mixture until they are well incorporated. Remove the bowl and add the bacon and chocolate chips and fold into the mixture using either a wooden spatula or rubber spatula

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon or small ice cream/cookie scoop, scoop up the batter and drop it onto the parchment paper

• Bake until cookies are lightly browned, about 10-12 minutes
• Let cool and enjoy!