Cowboy Ciao Chocolate Chip, Cherry and Bacon Cookies

Source: Cowboy Ciao, Scottsdale, Arizona

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
1/2 cup finely chopped applewood smoked bacon, cooked and well drained

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line sheet pans with parchment paper; set aside.

Sift flour and baking soda into a small bowl; set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, combine the sugars and butter until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract, stirring to combine. Add the eggs and mix until thoroughly incorporated.

Stir in the flour. Add the chocolate chips, cherries and bacon. Place heaping tablespoons of the cookie dough on the parchment-lined pans. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes before transferring to cooling racks. Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container.

Makes about 36 cookies.

Approximate values per cookie: 174 calories, 9 g fat, 27 mg cholesterol, 3 g protein, 22 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 77 mg sodium, 47 percent calories from fat