Molasses Bacon Cookies
 
Makes 42
Ingredients
  • ½ cup plus ⅓ cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup chilled rendered bacon fat
  • ½ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unsulphured molasses
  • ¼ cup finely chopped cooked bacon
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Place ½ cup granulated sugar on a plate or shallow baking dish.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves, salt, allspice, and pepper.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, bacon fat, brown sugar, and remaining ⅓ cup granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low, and add egg and vanilla, beating until incorporated. Add molasses, and beat until combined, about 20 seconds, scraping down bowl as needed.
  5. Reduce speed to low, and add flour mixture; beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Stir in bacon. Dough will be soft.
  6. Working with 1 tablespoon of dough at a time, roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheet and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Roll half of dough balls in sugar, tossing to coat. (Working with one pan at a time, the dough needs to stay chilled). Using the bottom of a glass, press cookies to a 1¼-inch circle. Repeat with remaining dough.
  7. Bake 1 sheet at a time until cookies are browned, still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft (cookies will look raw in between cracks and seem underdone), 10 to 12 minutes. Do not overbake.
  8. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Recipe by Taste of the South at https://tasteofthesouthmagazine.com/molasses-bacon-cookies/