Bacon Bourbon Chocolate Chip Cookies

In a large pan, or in the oven under broil, cook bacon or diced bacon pieces. Drain the pieces on a paper towel and reserve the fat, draining it into a bowl to chill in the refrigerator until it has hardened to the consistency of room temperature butter.

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and whisk together.

Beat the butter, bacon fat, sugars, bourbon, and vanilla together in the bowl of a mixer until the sugar and butter are combined.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg.

Beat in the flour mixture about 1/2 cup at a time. Beat in the chocolate chips and bacon bits.

Bake at 375ºF for 9-12 minutes or until desired level of golden brown. Let cool.

Adapted from the Maker’s Mark Recipe by Lee Anne Wong.