Pat and the Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pat is a dear cousin of mine who, like some other family members, has moved clear across the country. He moved to sunny CA to attend USC for a Master’s Degree in Public Health. He is actually graduating this week but planning on staying in CA and taking the MCAT in August. Then as they say, “the world is his oyster” (by the way I don’t get that saying… I wonder if it’s because I’ve never had one… haha just kidding).  When Pat is not “hitting the books” (hmmm let’s see how many clichés I can use in one blog) he knows how thoroughly enjoy his down time. Pat is a man’s man and likes his sports and video games. He especially likes Notre Dame Football (yes he’s a Gadawski) and Sabres hockey. And I’ve heard he plays a pretty sick game of golf.  From what I can gather from Facebook, he seems to really be adjusting well to the fun and exciting California lifestyle. I think his favorite foods have gone from wings and pierogis to wheat grass and sushi.  Regardless of his current eating habits Pat is really an amazing guy and we REALLY miss him back here in WNY. Hopefully he will take a few days off from studying and come home and visit us all, or even just come here and study (hint hint PAT)!!! Anyway, in an attempt to break his healthy eating and because it seems like such a manly cookie… I decided to make him Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies. Here’s hoping the bacon/chocolate mix is as good as people have been claiming lately. More importantly, here’s hoping that Pat likes them. Enjoy Pat and come home soon!!!!

Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe adapted from nytimes.com
yield: 9 large cookies

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter at room temperature
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup dark chocolate, chopped
8 slices of bacon, finely chopped then pan-fried until crispy and drained on paper towels
Sea salt

Instructions:

Sift the flour, baking soda and powder into a bowl and set aside. Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the egg and mix well. Stir in the vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Drop in the chocolate and bacon and incorporate. Refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop 6 3 1/2 ounce mounds of dough (the size of large golf balls) onto the baking sheet leaving ample space between cookies as they will grow quite large. Place the rest of the cookies on another sheet. Sprinkle cookies with a touch of sea salt. Bake until golden brown but still soft, 18-20 minutes. Cool on sheet for 10 minutes then move to rack to cool until you are ready to enjoy!


***One little side note... bacon grease HURTS!!!!