Baking cookies has always been a bit of an adventure for me. My early attempts (you’ll see evidence below) didn’t exactly scream “success,” and truth be told, I rarely bake—unless it’s a cheesecake. Maybe that’s why my go-to dessert is tiramisu—no baking required! But this weekend, I had an unexpected urge to bake cookies, and I decided to dive right in.
The idea came out of nowhere: peanut butter and banana cookies. Then, in a moment of inspiration, I thought, “Why not take it up a notch with candied bacon?” The result? Peanut butter, banana, and candied bacon cookies. Shockingly, they even looked like cookies, which felt like a small victory in itself!
I started with a base recipe but swapped in fresh bananas for banana chips and used candied bacon instead of praline bacon. I only added half a banana and about three strips of candied bacon. The cookies turned out pretty good, but I’ll admit they lacked a strong banana flavor—and they definitely needed more bacon.
Luckily, I have a baker friend, Dave, who owns One Girl Cookies, and he gave me some great feedback. He explained that using fresh bananas added extra moisture, which made the cookies a bit cakier than intended. Lesson learned! I’m excited to tweak the recipe, amp up the bacon, and give these cookies another shot. If you love sweet, salty, and a little adventurous, you’ll want to try this recipe too.
Peanut Butter, Banana, and Candied Bacon Cookies
A unique cookie recipe combining peanut butter, banana, and candied bacon, perfect for those looking for a sweet and savory treat.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup mashed banana
- 3 strips of candied bacon (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the peanut butter and mix until well combined.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Stir in the mashed banana and candied bacon.
- Roll the dough into balls, about 1 tablespoon each. Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
This recipe combines the sweetness of bananas and peanut butter with the savory element of candied bacon. For variations, you can use praline bacon instead of candied bacon or add chocolate chips or nuts for extra flavor. The cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 120Total Fat: 7gSodium: 50mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 2g
