Candied Bacon Monster Cookies

SERVINGS: 48

PREP TIME: 20 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup SKIPPY® Creamy Peanut Butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup mini candy-coated chocolate pieces
12 slices Candied Thick Cut Bacon, chopped and divided

Candied Thick-Cut Bacon
Servings: 12 Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 50 minutes

1 (1-pound) package HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Original Thick Cut Bacon
1 cup maple syrup
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. In large bowl, combine brown sugar, butter and peanut butter. Beat at medium speed until well mixed. Add egg and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed. Add flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat at low speed until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips, candy-coated chocolate pieces and 1 cup chopped candied bacon pieces.
3. Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Place, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets; flatten balls slightly. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Top each cookie with additional candied bacon pieces. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheets; transfer to cooling rack. Store in refrigerator.

Candied Thick-Cut Bacon
1. Heat oven to 375°F. Grease wire racks; place on baking sheets. Dip each bacon slice in maple syrup. Sprinkle generously with brown sugar. Arrange in single layer on wire racks. Bake 35-40 minutes or until browned and candied. Let stand on racks to cool.