Saturday, January 9, 2010

There's Bacon in My Chocolate!

First someone "Put chocolate in my peanut butter!"
...or was it "Peanut butter in my chocolate?"
(If you don't get the reference, click HERE)
And now bacon get's its shot at chocolate!
Seriously, before you give up on me, hear me out.
I was a skeptic too. I do not have a love of bacon...
it is one of my "whatever" foods.
I can take it or leave it. On the other hand,
I pretty much consider chocolate to be a seasoning.

I had been hearing about this new food craze - bacon for dessert...even saw the bacon ice cream on Top Chef, but pretty much ignored it. I did order some FABULOUS Bacon-Chocolate goodies  - from Vosges Haut Chocolat for Rook No. 17's daughters b'day. You may think it is an odd choice for an 8 year old, but seriously...this girl loves her bacon!

Well, one day, as I was checking Facebook, and I noticed a status update:
"Just finished eating chocolate chip bacon cookies."
I was intrigued...I had to know more...I had to have a recipe. And as it turns out, I had a playdate scheduled for Joe and Rook's daughter that same day. It was fate! For sure!

So, I did it. I made them. All the while, mixing and thinking, "OK, this could work." and then, "Oh no...this could be bad." Well...it was G-O-O-D! A lovely combination of sweet andsalty and crunchy!...And the batter was even better than the cookie, but I am a batter girl!

This recipe was part of a NPR article written by Susan Russo called "Bacon Gets Its Just Desserts." There are also recipes for: Chocolate-Bacon-Peanut Bark, Peanut Butter-Maple Bacon Fudge, and Maple-Apple-Bacon Cake with Maple Glaze.

Chocolate Chip-Bacon-Pecan Cookies
Makes about 18 cookies
This recipe is for a thick and chewy cookie. There is also a recipe for a thin and chewy cookie. I have made both and they are both good...it is just preference!

Ingredients
5 strips of bacon (cooked...duh!)
1 cup, plus 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cups chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
"Come on, doesn't that look GOOD?"

Directions
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Line baking sheet with parchment.
-Cook bacon, continuously turning, until browned, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper  towel-lined plate to drain. Chop bacon finely.
-In a medium bowl whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together.
-In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars.
-Add egg and vanilla extract. Beat until just blended.
-Add dry ingredients; beat until just incorporated and flour is dissolved.
-Stir in chocolate chips, pecans, and bacon.
-Drop one large Tablespoon of cookie dough 2 to 3 inches apart on baking sheet.
-Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until firm and golden around the edges, and slightly soft in center. Transfer to a rack and cool for 15 minutes.
-Store on the countertop for 1-2 days or in an airtight container in the frig.
 
NOTES:
I fried my bacon really crisp (not completely on purpose) and just crumbled it.
I used toasted pecans
I used sea salt
So...are you intrigued too? Repulsed? Not sure what to think?
TELL ME...have your tried bacon for dessert...do you even want to?

Happy Frying!
Holly
Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up party!

PS- Oh yeah...nothing healthy about this cookie...just plain good. I'll begin Healthy Happy Hour (it will be called this until I come up with a better name...hopefully by Monday) posts on Monday with an AWESOME chili recipe.

I am also considering a salsa "Mr. Linky" throwdown soon...anyone game? I {HEART} salsa!

76 comments:

  1. Bacon? In cookies? I'm skeptical.. If I didn't know it was in there, I'd definitely take a bite. They look yummy

    Oh, yeah.. Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!

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  2. Hi There, Just found you on SITS.
    I hafta say, I'm a little repulsed but a little intrigued. Good for you for even considering trying it! Perhaps, someday...

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  3. Hmm.. verdict is still out on this one. If I hated it, it would be a waste of good chocolate...

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  4. oh my goodness, i think i had a heart attack just looking at the photos. I'm in love. think those could pass as "light" cause I'd love to make 'em! =)

    happy SITS saturday sharefest!

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  5. Thanks for stopping by my blog...I just HAD to come check out these cookies with bacon! If I try these, I'd have to keep that ingredient a secret until AFTER the family tries them. They'd NEVER try them if they knew it!!

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  6. i am going to try this next weekend a have people who love bacon visiting and the wife loves choc. I have never heard of it, I usually get the vosgues catalog too but i have been tossing it afraid to be tempted lol thanks

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  7. i had chocolate covered bacon at our county fair this past June and really don't need to do it again. But, I could be adventurous again and try this cookie.

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  8. I will have to give this a try :)
    Thanks for stopping by my blog, I'm following you so I can get all your updates.

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  9. I like sweet and salty and crunchy. I'm making this for sure!

    P.S. Plus I always have to be on top of food trends. Makes me feel much more sophisticated than I am!

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  10. I've actually had chocolate covered bacon and you know something? It was really, really good. Sweet and salty all in one bite!

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  11. Ok, I'm intrigued, repulsed and not sure what to think BUT I will definitely try this one out! If not today, tomorrow. Will let you know how it turns out and if my hubby and I become fans. :)

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  12. Anonymous1:28 PM

    We're HUGE bacon lovers, so when I saw this recipe, I HAD to make them, but haven't had time to blog about it yet! Glad you did! Also, my BFF found a dark chocolate bar with bacon in it (divine!) and I just saw a recipe on noblepig.com for bacon waffles! Sounds delicious! Thanks for the new recipe!

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  13. I'm sure that the bacon would be a perfect match to the chocolate, but I just can not bring myself to do it - yet.

    If you need use of a linky let me know, I have acct.

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  14. omg, Holly....I am gonna have to try this one soon. It's making my mouth water! Love the pics, too!

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  15. Interesting.lol I would probably try them tho. I love bacon and chocolate chip cookies. I wonder what the dough with the bacon in it taste like?

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  16. Perhaps I should pay more attention to SITS. Haha. I will from now on.

    My hubby says everything tastes better with bacon!!! He would probably like this. Me....not so sure...tho I do like salty and sweet.

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  17. My husband loves bacon, but he and I are in agreement... that sounds very strange in a gross sorta way.

    I may try it... someday. :)

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  18. Now that is truly strange, to mix bacon and chocolate. A local candy store makes chocolate covered bacon, which doesn't appeal to me.
    My dh and I don't eat regular bacon, it is not a health food, no kidding, but I found that dark chocolate is a beneficial food, thank goodness.
    When we eat bacon we buy turkey bacon which is pretty tasty.
    You are traveling to new food frontiers and I enjoyed this post.

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  19. Anonymous5:43 PM

    These look amazing!!! I posted some bacon recipes on the Ebell Blog, fascinated by the unusual combinations. There is a recipe for a Bacon-Infused Old Fashioned as well as Candied Bacon Ice-Cream. I'm gonna have to somehow try this cookie recipe (not sure how that will fly in our vegetarian household, though...)
    ~Meliss
    (If anyone is interested, here's a link to recipes: http://ebelllosangeles.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/bacon-its-not-just-for-breakfast-anymore/)

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  20. I have this 5 lb. bag of chocolate chips that need to get used up so I am going to give this a try!

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  21. I keep hearing about chocolate and bacon everywhere I turn! I thank you for the recipe, I think I may just try it before I have this baby. Because afterward nothings baking in my ovens!

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  22. I am so enjoying reading the comments. Someone even commented about the cookies on the SITS site today. I wish I could make some and send them to you all to try. They really are good..I have made them 5 times now.

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  23. Hmmmm, this is intriguing. I don't know if I'm brave enough to try it though. I knew this combo existed...World Market has some bacon/chocolate candy bars they sell. I didn't try those either. But I trust your taste buds...
    We shall see!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Kelli @ SustainingCreativity

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  24. Anonymous7:53 PM

    I want to try this! I can definitely see the appeal of sweet 'n salty. Well done and well written!

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  25. We love bacon, I just don't know about this combination. I am willing to give it a shot...

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  26. Too bad that I am on my diet, I would make this! I love salty and sweet together. Great PMS food!

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  27. Totally trying it! Thanks for the tip

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  28. Oh, I can't even think about that!!

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  29. Anonymous12:33 AM

    INteresting recipe

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  30. It's sounds interesting, I don't know if I am brave enough though :)

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  31. Holly! Choc and bacon? A girl after my heart!
    But... why oh why, now? When I'm still in the "ditch the beige and lose pounds" phase of my new years resolutions??
    Those cookies look suspiciously beige!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday! I'm working out a few kinks, but on my way!

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  32. That doesn't sound even a little bit good. I guess it's just the idea of bacon with chocolate. But I will take your word on it. I'm sure somewhere along the way I'll get around to trying it.

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  33. Anonymous9:40 AM

    Wow, Bacon Cookies....Weird Combo. I think I'm going to have to try this recipe.

    Thanks for posting it!

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  34. I am intrigued. I would have never just thrown those two things together, but I guess applewood smoked bacon is a little sweet and that's pretty good... Hmm. Definitely on a try list!

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  35. Oh, my...I'm not sure I should get any more involved with bacon than I already am. Finding a new love for it as a cookie ingredient could be dangerous!

    But I am so intrigued...I may have to give in...

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  36. I've been reading about that but I thought it was kind of a joke. People are seriously mixing them up. Ok then. I'm in because bacon is the only thing keeping me from going vegetarian. LOVE it!

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  37. I will just have to take your word for it...to me bacon and chocolate do not even belong in the same sentence let alone the same cookie! Just give me chocolate!!!!

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  38. Sweet and salty is my favorite combination ever! (I think I should have named my blog that.)

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  39. Mmmm!! I'm game for trying these out after the holiday pounds are gone. LOL!

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  40. just made them tonight for the family they loved them , thanks so much.

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  41. Seriously? Bacon in cookies? I'm actually intrigued enough to try it!!!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog from SITS!!!

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  42. Oh Dear Heavens!

    My ten year old daughter loves bacon. I never made bacon until my daughter asked to taste the bacon on my husbands BLT. She loved it. I am not a big fan. It is a once in a GREAT, GREAT, while for me. Now that my daughter loves it...once in a while I have to make it.

    In cookies...I am going to have to pass Holly. I usually love you stuff, but this almost makes me gag. (I am LOL right now though)

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  43. I've been seeing a lot of bacon/chocolate combos lately. Here in Santa Cruz county you can get chocolate dipped bacon at Marini's on the Wharf. I love both but have yet to try it.

    As for the salsa, I love it but no longer make it or buy it. Having a mother in law from Mexico makes it moot; she brings over buckets of it all the time and it's AWESOME.

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  44. Anonymous11:49 AM

    oh yummy!!
    ps i tagged you in an award!

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  45. Bacon in a cookie. I have to think about this one. I bet I will give it a try. I really enjoyed ur blog I will be back thanks

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  46. So interested! I will have to see how these taste! Though I have a hard enough not eating cookie dough, now I will have a hard time NOT eating bacon too. :)

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  47. Looks like we both have chocolate on the brain! This does not sound good to me but if I were to make them, I think my man would love me just a little bit more :) Stephanie The-Still-Waters.blogspot.com

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  48. I am intrigued. I think I'll have to try this. We love chocolate and bacon.

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  49. it sounds great to me..Ill try anything..Im like Mikey..and Im going to make these without telling everyone whats in them..the sea salt is a great idea..Love that..i think bacon does go with everthing..now just have to find the time to bake instead of blog..mmmm..im cutting and pasting now...the mixing and baking will have to wait..!

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  50. i heard this story and nearly crashed my car!! bacon in cookies?? i have all the ingredients, i just might have to try it.

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  51. I am in favor of bacon for desserts. I am not a big chocolate fan so maybe there'll be other options. Glad to see that I am rewarded with innovation after a stop here--keep up the good work.

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  52. hi holly! thanks for pointing that out on my blog ... i've made the change {i forgot to add it back in with a redo! oops!!} hope you'll follow! thanks!

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  53. Nothing says love like seasalt, chocolate, and bacon! I'm all over it! Just wish I were there eating the ones you made. Yummm Holly

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  54. These have got to be wrong on so many levels it isn't even funny. I have seen chocolate covered bacon on Food Network, but cookies? My perfect in every way, need nothing added chocolate chip cookies?

    I think I shall remain the Healthy Skeptic.

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  55. Ok... I love bacon and I can not wait to try these cookies!!

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  56. This sounds well...interesting to say the least. I myself am a big bacon lover and I always say ANYTHING is better with bacon. Maybe I'll have to click over to that article and see if that's really true.

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  57. OH my goodness. Don't think I could do it :) hehe

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  58. Ohhhh Whoa.. I wound never admit it to anyone, but the idea sounds fabulous to me. then I saw the recipe and am totally sold. Love it. Crazy huh? Keri

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  59. hmmm i thought i read that right...bacon? that's just crazy!!! i so want to try it, but i'm scared! ha ha
    bring some over!!!

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  60. I tried it, I tried it!! Finally!! Take a look on my blog for my review. Thank you again for the recipe Holly! :)

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  61. YES! I'm totally gonna try this!!

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  62. I'm scared! I want to try one, but I don't want to make a whole batch! Can you send one my way?

    Happy SITS Day!

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  63. I might actually try these- I know MH would love it

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  64. OK, I can see the appeal. I am still not sure, but I am no longer grossed out.

    Happy SITS day.

    lisaDay

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  65. OMG - I have never heard of bacon for dessert before and NEVER thought to mix w/ chocolate - but I CANNOT wait to try these!!!!! My hubby is away this week but I think I will surprise him w/ these when he gets home this weekend. Thanks for sharing! After this recipe - I'm definitely following you now - lol! :)

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  66. Yes. Please. I accept.

    In a home where we wrap things in bacon whenever possible- AND sometimes the only thing for breakfast IS bacon (totally acceptable, btw)- this may be our new breakfast food.

    We can get away with stuff like this until the baby really keys into what we're eating. I give her, oh, about a month.

    Happy SITS day!

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  67. I am the one person in the world who doesn't like cookies or really sweets for that matter but with bacon in them I think you could be onto something. ;)

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  68. I'm not sure if this would be delicious or horrible, but I'm willingly to try anything once. Thanks for the recipe!

    Happiest FB day!

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  69. Happy SITS day!!! Thanks so much for posting the bacon/choc chip cookies =) I love Mo's Bacon Bar and these sound sooooo good!!! Yum!

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  70. I am so down with these cookies! My next trip to the grocery store I'll be getting bacon :).

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  71. I was stopping by from SITS, and you got me completely intrigued with this posting. I HAVE TO TRY THIS! (my hubby thiks I'm nuts, but oh well)

    BTW...I love your site!

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  72. Hmmm,not sure what to think. I've heard of the bacon-as-dessert craze going on but it just doesn't seem right. lol

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  73. YummY!!!! These cookies sound fabulous! I would try my breakfast for dessert.

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  74. Oh Holy Nitrates! These are fabulous!!! The only comment I had from my family was that the bacon was chopped too finely. I accidentally on purpose added more than 2/3 cup of choc chips. I never thought extra chocolate would be a mistake, but it upsets what I guess should be a perfect balance between the savory and the sweet.

    I will follow the recipe to the T next time. There will definitely be a next time.
    Yum!

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  75. Chocolate + bacon is almost as good as Chocolate + peanut butter! Delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
    Jennifer B.

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  76. Sounds delish!!! I love me some bacon and cookies, who would've thought putting them together?!

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Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation! I sure hope you come back for more!