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Maple Bacon Cookies start with a brown sugar-sweetened dough spiked with pure maple syrup, vanilla extract and maple extract. Tiny bits of maple-caramelized bacon are then folded in, providing a salty counter to the sweet dough. These cookies are like a warm blanket wrapped around you on a cool autumn evening. So so comforting.
Although bacon desserts are fairly widespread nowadays, I still encounter people who raise a skeptical eye at the idea. If you are one of those people, just think of these cookies as a plate of pancakes and bacon, but in cookie-form. They are so damn tasty, and completely addicting.
Be sure to use good quality maple syrup here (not maple-flavored syrup). Maple extract can be found at any regular grocery store. Finally, this dough requires a 1-hour chill, so plan accordingly.
Maple Bacon Cookies
Ingredients
- 7 slices of bacon
- 2 tablespoons + 1/2 cup good quality maple syrup (divided)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup lightly packed dark brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon maple extract
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment and set wire rack on the lined baking sheet. Lightly spray the wire rack with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange bacon in a single layer on the wire rack. Brush 1 tablespoon of maple syrup evenly over the slices. Cook the bacon for 10 minutes in the oven, then flip the slices, and brush the other side evenly with 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Continue to cook the bacon until crisp and dark in spots (about 10 – 15 minutes more). Let the bacon cool completely, then chop into small bits.
- Combine flour, baking soda and sea salt in a medium bowl, whisking to combine. Set aside. Add butter and sugar to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Cream sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (2 – 3 minutes). You can also use a hand mixer here. Add the egg, vanilla extract and maple extract, mixing until incorporated. Add the maple syrup, and mix until well incorporated. Add the dry ingredients (flour mixture) to the wet ingredients (butter-egg mixture) in 3 additions, beating at a lower speed until each addition is just incorporated. Fold in the reserved, chopped candied bacon. Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap, and let chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Preheat an oven to 350°F and place a rack in the center of the oven. Scoop 1 tablespoon of cookie dough, and, using your hands, roll into a ball. Place balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes until the cookies turn lightly golden around the edges. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Also, if you love bacon as much as I do, be sure to check out my bacon category. I’ve got 20 other bacon recipes, including cocktails, entrees, appetizers and desserts. Enjoy!
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I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
These are so you, Brandon! I don’t usually cook bacon so I’ve never done the bacon + sweets idea that everyone is doing but maybe one day! Gorgeous pictures as usual 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Haha yes!! Thanks Averie.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Way to utilize bacon in the most delicious way!!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Kiran 😉
Holly - FMITK says
YAAAASSSSSSSS!!!! I want these. I want them hard… with chocolate chips lol
Brandon Matzek says
OMG, chocolate would be an awesome addition. I need to try that next time 🙂
ATasteOfMadness says
I had a maple bacon apple fritter once, and I fell in love with it. These cookies sound just as good!
Brandon Matzek says
That sounds sooooo good!! Thanks 🙂
Sippitysup says
A terrific combination in an unexpected package. GREG
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Greg!
Benjamin says
Hehe, that’s true! Even though I love mingling the ingredients which could be classified as quite peculiar combos by many folks, I have got a sceptical eye at the pair of bacon and maple syrup. I have not been courageous enough for over two years to give that a try!:) These cookies sound and looks fabulous to me, though, and may be…!:)
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Benjamin! Let me know if you end up trying them 🙂
Bill Smith says
See maple cured bacon at your local supermarket. It has been around for decades. Not an unusual pairing at all.
Abby of Baby Birds Farm says
So original! I grew up dredging my bacon in maple syrup but would never have thought of this combination. Would love to taste them some time!
Brandon Matzek says
It’s a great combination! Definitely give this recipe a try 🙂
Carol says
Wow! Made these cookies last night and they are just WOW! Thanks for the recipe.
Brandon Matzek says
Awesome!! So glad they worked out for you Carol 🙂
Lynn @ Oh-So Yummy says
This totally makes me think of The Cravory cookie event! Maybe I’ll surprise the hubby or coworkers with this one day!
Brandon Matzek says
Yes!! These flavors are just as fun as The Cravory. Different texture though.
amber says
When do you add the “1/2 cup good quality maple syrup”?
Brandon Matzek says
After the vanilla/maple extracts. Thanks!!
Karen Decker-Brown says
My introduction to maple/bacon cookies came via Betty Crocker’s pkg mix and Iloved them! Now I cannot find the mix any more. I am anxious to give your recipe a try to see how they turn out. Homemade is almost alway’s better so I’m thinking your’s will be too. Thank you for posting your recipe online for others to try. Karen
Josh says
If you want to add chocolate chips into the mix how much would you add into it?
Brandon Matzek says
Hi Josh, I’ve never added chocolate chips to the mix, but I would think 1 cup would be a good place to start. Let me know how it turns out. Sounds delicious!