Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are the gold standard for determining a baker's abilities in my mind. It's relatively easy to make an average chocolate chip cookie, but to make a great one - one that stands out above the crowd - that takes a great baker. I don't know about you, but I've been known to get bored. That may actually be the understatement of the year. I really enjoy trying new things and I've been known to experiment with the chocolate chip cookie (waffled chocolate chip cookies and giant chocolate chip cookies).

My little sister is a bacon lover. For her birthday, as one of several treats, I whipped up a batch of bacon chocolate chip cookies. Truth be told, I was skeptical. I've been very hesitant to put bacon in desserts (and admittedly, my father and most taste-testers were as well), but the results were honestly better than I imagined. The bacon chocolate chip cookie certainly won't replace a normal chocolate chip cookie in my heart, but I think it has for a few people - and the recipe is surprisingly easy. I followed the recipe on the back of the Toll House chocolate chip bag with a few changes.

Recipe adapted from Nestle Toll House chocolate chip package

Ingredients
2 1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. butter
3/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. white sugar
1+ Tbsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 14-oz package of chocolate chips
1/2 package of bacon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325. Fry bacon until crispy (this is important so it's not gummy in the cookie). Dab away extra grease with a paper towel. Cool and cut into chunks slightly larger than a chocolate chip. Set aside
2. Mix dry ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add vanilla and eggs one at a time, beating well to incorporate.
4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients. Add chocolate chips and bacon.
5. Drop by the rounded tablespoon and bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Waffled Chocolate Chip Cookies

A couple of years ago, I decided to reinvent the chocolate chip cookie. Enter the waffle iron. Waffled chocolate chip cookies? Not too shabby and oh so fun.

Disclaimer: Again, not entirely sure what I based the recipe off of :/

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

1/2 c + 2 Tbsp. packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 Tbsp. vanilla

3/4 c. flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 c. oats

3/4 c. mini chocolate chips

Directions

1. Whisk butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients. Incorporate chocolate chips.
2. Great waffle iron. Pour batter into compartments and close lid. Let sit 2-3 minutes. Nommmm.