Spread the Bacon Love….Candied Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Do you know anyone who doesn’t love bacon?  I mean, really.  Vegetarians, maybe?  But, as I was looking for a bacon-inspired recipe to try I came across a recipe for some sort of vegan bacon-flavored something or other…so I rest my case.  Everyone loves bacon.

Right now, Winn Dixie is having a special event to spread the bacon love, and I’m thrilled to participate!  First, because it gave me an excuse to cook bacon, and second, because I was able to take a little shopping trip to Winn Dixie…and I’m so glad I did.  Here’s why:

Winn Dixie has some very good deals!  Many things that we use on a regular basis were on sale for great prices.

For instance, as part of the Everybody Loves Bacon event, 12 oz. packages of Winn Dixie bacon were only $2.99!  I had to do a little stocking up.

I also enjoyed browsing through the produce section.  Things were so fresh and clean.  I tend to judge a supermarket by the produce section, and this one did not let me down.

Good deals on diapers always come in handy around here!

Coffee from East Africa?  Yes, please.  I’ll let yáll know how it tastes!

This is probably done at other stores, but I’ve never noticed it.  A store encouraging me to recycle…love it!  Now, I know what to do with all those plastic bags….take them back to the store when I go!

And, finally, a store that offers me fresh coffee on my way out the door?  Amazing.

So, what did I do with all that bacon I bought?  Well, my kids and I like to watch Cupcake Wars, and we always wonder if the treats they make with bacon actually taste good so I knew I wanted to make dessert.  I present:

Candied Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Yáll, these are really good!  The bacon gives the cookies a saltiness that is great, and they also give a nutty crunchiness, too.  In a family where nut allergies are pretty common, I am so glad I tried this because the crunch bacon is alot like adding nuts to the cookies.  Here’s how to make them:

What you need:

For the candied bacon:

6 strips bacon

1/3 cup brown sugar

For the cookies:

3/4 stick butter flavored Crisco or 3/4 cup butter

1 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar

2 tbsp. milk

1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1 cup dark chocolate chips (or, if you prefer, you can use semi-sweet!)

Candied bacon, chopped

Optional: 1 cup chopped pecans

Here’s what you do:

Preheat oven to 400.  Place bacon on aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.  Sprinkle brown sugar on top of bacon.

Bake about 15 minutes, flipping bacon halfway through.  Bake until crispy and brown.  (I burned a couple of pieces so watch carefully!)

Remove from oven and allow to cool.  Chop.

Preheat oven to 350.

Cream shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg, vanilla and milk and mix well.

Add flour, salt and baking soda and mix well.

Fold in chocolate chips and bacon (and nuts if using).  Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake at 350 8-10 minutes.  Cool on wire rack.

(Cookie recipe adapted from Crisco Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe…it’s the best!)

Enjoy!

What’s your favorite bacon recipe?  Add a link in the comments if you like…I’d love to try them!

Also, be sure and look for bacon inspiration from Winn Dixie on Twitter using the #baconlove hastag!

Disclosure:  I was offered a Winn Dixie gift card in return for my post.  All opinions are mine.