What goes great with Cheerwine? Chocolate chip cookies! What could make that combo even better? Cheerwine candied bacon!! That’s right – Cheerwine candied bacon IN your chocolate chip cookies! You don’t have to thank us when you win your neighborhood’s baking competition with this recipe.
Preheat oven to 375ºF. In a shallow dish, lay out bacon slices side-by-side with no overlap. Pour Cheerwine Syrup over bacon to just cover. Turn bacon over to make sure both sides are saturated. On a baking sheet lined with rack, transfer bacon to rack spaced out. Bake for 8 minutes or until crispy (careful not to burn). Remove pan from oven and allow bacon to cool completely. Transfer bacon to a cutting board and chop into pieces. Set aside.
In large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugars, and vanilla until combined. Add eggs and continue beating. Add flour, baking soda, and salt, then beat until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips and prepared bacon pieces.
Spoon tablespoon-sized balls of cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking pan and bake at 375ºF for 8-10 minutes. Transfer cookies to rack to cool.