Sweet & Salty Perfection: Irresistible Bacon and Dried Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Welcome to a delightful #SundaySupper! This week, we’re thrilled to celebrate with Katie Workman, the talented author behind the acclaimed cookbook, The Mom 100. Her book is a treasure trove, brimming with “delicious, no-fuss, easily adaptable recipes, plus tips, attitude and wisdom for surviving and staying happy in the kitchen while proudly keeping it homemade.” For this special occasion, we’re doing things potluck style, and what’s a potluck without an unforgettable dessert? So, I decided to whip up a batch of one of my absolute favorite, and perhaps most surprising, cookies: Bacon and Dried Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Wait, What? The Magic of Bacon in Your Cookies

Yes, you read that right – bacon in my cookies! I know it sounds unconventional, perhaps even a little wild, but trust me, this isn’t just a quirky experiment. It’s a culinary revelation. The moment you bite into one of these cookies, you’ll understand. The delightful crunch of crispy bacon, its savory notes perfectly complementing the rich sweetness of chocolate, creates an incredibly addictive sweet-and-salty symphony. But the flavor journey doesn’t stop there. The dried tart cherries enter the scene, offering a vibrant burst of tanginess that cuts through the richness and brightens the entire experience. It’s a combination that truly tantalizes the taste buds, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected pairings lead to the most extraordinary flavors.

Achieving Perfectly Crispy Bacon: A Key to Cookie Success

For these cookies, achieving the right bacon texture is paramount. While I typically gravitate towards chewy, slightly greasy bacon for my breakfast plate – often made quickly in the microwave for convenience – this recipe demands something different. We need crispy, almost brittle bacon that can be finely chopped and easily incorporated into the cookie dough without making it soggy. Fortunately, Katie Workman’s blog, The Mom 100 Blog, offers a fantastic, foolproof method for baking bacon that delivers just that. It’s a game-changer!

Here’s how to do it: Simply line a baking sheet with foil (for easy cleanup – a tip every busy person appreciates!), place a baking rack on top, and arrange your bacon strips evenly on the rack. Then, bake them at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. The rack allows the fat to drip away, ensuring consistently crispy results. Not only does this method produce beautifully crisp bacon, but it also frees you up to multitask in the kitchen, whether that’s prepping other ingredients, tidying up, or perhaps, as Katie might suggest, tending to the kids. This hands-off approach makes baking bacon less of a chore and more of an efficient part of your recipe preparation. Once baked, let it cool completely before chopping it finely. This ensures maximum crispness and prevents the bacon from softening the cookie dough.

Beyond Motherhood: Simple Delights for Every Busy Schedule

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: “You’re not a mom, so why are you participating in The Mom 100 #SundaySupper?” It’s a fair question! While I may not have extra mouths to feed in the traditional sense, my schedule is as bustling as anyone’s. I work full-time during the week, and by the time I get home, I’m just as tired and in need of straightforward, delicious solutions as any parent. That’s precisely why Katie Workman’s philosophy resonates so deeply with me. Her emphasis on “no-fuss, easily adaptable recipes” is a lifesaver for anyone navigating a busy life, regardless of family status.

These Bacon and Dried Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies exemplify that principle perfectly. They require minimal preparation time and bake relatively quickly, making them an ideal treat for a weeknight dessert or a last-minute potluck contribution. Think about it: kids (and adults!) universally adore bacon, and who can resist a classic chocolate chip cookie? This recipe brilliantly combines these two beloved elements into one irresistible package. It’s a testament to the idea that great food should be accessible, enjoyable, and capable of bringing a little joy into even the most hectic days, proving that delicious homemade treats are for everyone.

The Genesis of a Craving: An Amish Country Discovery

The inspiration for this remarkable cookie recipe dates back to a memorable visit to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, last year, a region famous for its picturesque Amish country. My friends and I were exploring a charming bakery, nestled within a building that housed several other local vendors. I honestly can’t recall the bakery’s name, but its impact on my culinary journey was profound. As our visit drew to a close, late in the afternoon, my eyes caught a glimpse of a unique cookie on the counter – half-off, a true bargain! Intrigued by its appearance, I grabbed one without much thought, eager to sample the local treats.

The real moment of revelation, however, didn’t come until we were already back on the road, heading home. I finally took a bite, and that’s when it hit me: an explosion of flavors – sweet, salty, and a hint of something tangy. It was an instant obsession. A big mistake, indeed, because all I wanted to do was turn the car around and go back for more. The memory of that cookie lingered, transforming into a persistent craving that simply wouldn’t be satisfied by anything else. It was that unforgettable experience that sparked my mission to recreate this unique masterpiece in my own kitchen.

The Quest for Replication: A Home Baker’s Journey

Ever since that fateful trip, I’ve found myself constantly craving this extraordinary cookie. The harmonious blend of sweet chocolate, savory bacon, and tart cherries truly defines what I consider the perfect cookie. Naturally, I had to try recreating it at home. While my attempts have yielded truly delicious results that satisfied my cravings, I must admit, they don’t quite do the original bakery cookie full justice. The bakery’s cookies were notably larger, boasting a more substantial presence. Furthermore, I haven’t quite managed to replicate their exact texture. Mine tend to be a bit thinner and, to my personal preference, not quite as chewy as those memorable treats from Lancaster.

But don’t misunderstand me – the flavor is absolutely spot-on, and that’s what truly matters! I’ve certainly eaten more than my fair share of these homemade versions, and each bite is a pure delight. This quest to perfectly match the original has become a fun challenge, and I think it calls for me to make a few more dozen batches for “research” purposes, don’t you agree? Perhaps a slight adjustment to the flour-to-butter ratio or experimenting with different types of brown sugar could bring me closer to that ideal chewy consistency. The journey of perfecting a beloved recipe is often as rewarding as the final product itself, especially when the “research” involves eating more delicious cookies!

Decoding the Flavor Profile: Sweet, Salty, and Tart Harmony

What makes these cookies so utterly captivating? It’s the meticulous balance of three distinct flavor profiles working in unison. The chocolate chips provide the comforting, familiar sweetness that forms the backbone of any great cookie. I prefer semisweet, as it offers a deep, rich chocolate flavor without being overly sugary, allowing the other elements to shine. Then comes the star of the show, the finely chopped crispy bacon. Its salty, smoky, and umami-rich notes introduce an unexpected complexity that elevates the cookie beyond a simple dessert. This savory counterpoint is what truly distinguishes these cookies and keeps you reaching for another. Finally, the dried tart cherries are the secret weapon. Their bright, tangy burst of fruitiness cuts through the richness of the chocolate and the savoriness of the bacon, adding a refreshing contrast that cleanses the palate and makes each bite feel fresh and exciting. Without the cherries, the cookie might risk being too heavy or one-dimensional. Together, these three ingredients create a culinary dance that is truly unforgettable.

Tips for Baking Success and Creative Variations

To ensure your Bacon and Dried Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies turn out perfectly, here are a few tips:

• **Bacon Prep is Key:** As mentioned, crisp bacon is crucial. After baking, let it cool completely before chopping. This prevents it from making your dough greasy or soft. Chop it finely for even distribution in the cookies.
• **Room Temperature Ingredients:** Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows for a smoother, more uniform dough, preventing overmixing and resulting in a tender cookie.
• **Don’t Overmix:** Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten, leading to tougher cookies.
• **Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended):** While this recipe doesn’t explicitly call for it, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight) can deepen the flavors, prevent spreading, and improve the texture of your cookies. It allows the flour to fully hydrate and the flavors to meld.
• **Portioning:** Use a cookie scoop or a heaping tablespoon for consistent cookie size and even baking. Leave enough space between cookies on the baking sheet to prevent them from merging.
• **Cooling:** Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set and prevents them from breaking.

Feeling adventurous? Here are some variations to try:

• **Chocolate Choice:** Experiment with different types of chocolate chips – dark chocolate for a richer flavor, milk chocolate for a sweeter profile, or even a mix.
• **Nutty Crunch:** Add 1/2 cup of toasted chopped pecans or walnuts for an extra layer of texture and nutty flavor.
• **Spice It Up:** A pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of smoked paprika could enhance the savory notes of the bacon, adding another layer of complexity.
• **Other Dried Fruits:** If cherries aren’t your favorite, try dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots for a different tart element.

Recipe: Bacon and Dried Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bacon and Dried Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yield:
18 cookies

Chocolate chip cookies with a delicious twist of crispy bacon and tart dried cherries, creating an irresistible sweet, salty, and tangy treat.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
• 1/2 cup finely chopped bacon, cooked until crispy and well drained

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set them aside.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and sea salt until well combined. Set this dry mixture aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together both the brown sugar and granulated sugar with the softened butter until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract, then add the egg, mixing until it is thoroughly incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix. Finally, gently stir in the chocolate chips, dried tart cherries, and the finely chopped crispy bacon until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
4. Drop heaping tablespoons of the cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, ensuring you leave at least 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are just set. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for about 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to wire cooling racks to cool completely. Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.

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Source: AZ Central

Embrace the Unexpected: A Cookie Experience Like No Other

In a world of countless cookie recipes, these Bacon and Dried Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies truly stand out. They challenge preconceptions and reward adventurous palates with an unparalleled taste experience. Whether you’re hosting a potluck, looking for a unique dessert to impress, or simply seeking a comforting treat that breaks the mold, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit. The sweet, salty, and tart harmony is not just a passing fad; it’s a beautifully crafted symphony of flavors that will leave a lasting impression. So go ahead, embrace the unconventional, and bake a batch of these extraordinary cookies. You might just discover your new favorite indulgence!