Maple Bacon Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Okay guys. Now I think we can all agree... I have officially lost my mind.

 Seriously though, do you ever get one of the moments where you're so sure you really must have brain damage of some sort? I mean, is it normal when you and your brothers and sisters have to say, "Mom, tell us the truth. Do we have something wrong with us?"

In fact, we were just asking her that very thing the other day and it was quite frightening because she kept avoiding the question. She was just like, "Psh. I used to think I was fairly normal until I met you guys."

"You're avoiding the question!" we cried, "Do we have something wrong with us or not??"

"I don't know, you have a little asthma, I guess."

"We mean something wrong with our brains!"

"I don't think so..."

Well, the bad part is, that's what she would say either way.

But, after these cookies, her answer may be a little different. She just sort of came up and looked around with a befuddled expression and said, "Well, that's an unusual combination..."

But why are you so afraid? This is nothing new. We've seen bacon s'mores and bacon oatmeal cookies. Really, this was inevitable. It's just another twist on the old sweet-and-salty routine.

I must confess though, my sister Nemo is the one who made these. I mostly just looked on and gave input and encouragement when needed. You know, if it was up to me, I might have made these peanut butter cookies and just sprinkled some bacon bits on top. Am I completely crazy or Elvis's true soul mate? I'm inclined to think the latter.

Maple Bacon Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 sticks (1 cup) butter
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon maple extract
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 egg
2 cups cake flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup bacon (maple flavored if you want), cooked and crumbled (maybe about a pound)
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Kosher salt for sprinkling 

Set one stick of butter out to soften. Cook the other stick of the butter on medium heat on the stove until browned. Allow to cool to room temperature and is no longer liquid (feel free to put it in the refrigerator or freezer)*. Beat in the sugar. Add the extracts, syrup, and egg. Beat until well combined. Sift in the flours, soda, and salt. Mix to combine. Stir in the chips and bacon bits, saving some for garnishing the top if you wish. Chill the dough for at least an hour or until the dough is pretty firm (again, put it in the freezer if you're impatient). Preheat the oven to 375º. Shape cookies into balls of your preferred size. Sprinkle with any leftover bacon bits and some kosher salt. Bake cookies for 9-12 minutes or until edges or golden brown. I like to press a few chocolate chips in the top when they're done baking. 

*we actually just had 1 stick of browned butter left over from something else. If you want to brown both sticks, you might need to add a splash of milk to get the dough to come together since some of the liquid will evaporate out of the butter.

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