Chewy Bacon Butterscotch Cookies

Okay, this is me keeping the ball rolling on my blogging. I'm probably going to try posting approximately once a week and see if I can keep that pace going for a while before I start posting more than that. I also have to build up my baking/cooking repertoire once again, I haven't taken any pictures of food or baked goods in AGES (mainly due to lack of a decent camera, which was remedied this Christmas!!)

I made these cookies in the summer for a backyard BBQ that we hosted and they were an instant hit! People were pretty surprised that there was bacon in them but it added a nice little hint of salt in an otherwise pretty sweet cookie. The sweet and salty combo seems to be pretty popular the last few years.

As well, this is my first time making candied bacon and I have to say, while it is pretty dang delicious, it is an absolute nightmare to clean up from. Blech...you won't see me making it unless I have an excellent reason to do so...

Chewy Bacon Butterscotch Cookies
Prep Time: 20 mins        Combined Bake Time: 60 mins        Yields approx. 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients:
THE CANDIED BACON
10 strips bacon
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

THE COOKIE DOUGH
1/2 cup oats
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup butterscotch chips

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place wire rack on top of baking sheet.

2) In a medium bowl, combine bacon and brown sugar, tossing until bacon is completely coated. Arranged bacon in a single layer on baking rack.

3) Sprinkle any remaining sugar on top of bacon. Bake for 20 minutes. Flip bacon and cook for additional 10-15 minutes, until golden. TRansfer to cutting board, let cool and chop into small pieces.

4) Line a clean baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

5) In a food processor, blend oats until finely ground. Transfer ground oats to a medium sized mixing bowl and stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

6) In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat butter and both sugars until smooth and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.

7) Slowly add flour mixture, beating until dough is well mixed. Stir in butterscotch chips and chopped bacon bits.

8) Place dough in heaping tablespoons about 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes, until edges are golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack and enjoy!

(Recipe adapted from Robin Hood Recipes)