Happy National Chocolate Chip Day!!

America’s favorite cookie is undoubtedly the chocolate chip cookie, and with it’s soft, gooey deliciousness, why wouldn’t it be? 

There are many variations to this classic cookie recipe. Some versions are sweet, subtle changes like caramel, M&Ms, or peppermint.  Others are a little more adventurous like pineapple, coffee or  candied cherries. And then there are the downright strange and bizarre additions such as chili peppers, raw ginger or gummies. Either way, it’s apparent that America loves their chocolate chip cookies!

Here are a few examples of some unusual chocolate chip cookie recipes.

Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies

 Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (softened, feel free to replace some with bacon grease)
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/8 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark chocolate chunks
5 strips bacon (I used candied bacon)

Directions:
1. Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl.
2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.

3. Mix the flour, baking soda and salt in another bowl.
4. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet.
5. Mix in the chocolate and the bacon.
6. Place the dough onto a cookie sheet one table spoon at a time.
7. Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 8-10 minutes.

Source: Closet Cooking 

Cricket Chocolate Chip Cookies

 Ingredients:

2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 12-ounce chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup dry-roasted crickets

 Directions:
Preheat oven to 375. In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. In large bowl, combine butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla; beat until creamy. Beat in eggs. Gradually add flour mixture and insects, mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded measuring teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

 Source: Mommie Daze

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On stove heat 12 in. cast iron skillet on medium. Once the skillet is hot, turn to medium-low heat, add butter. When butter is completely melted add both sugars. Onto the sugar butter mixture add flour, baking soda, salt, vanilla, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and egg. stir to incorporate all ingredients. Lastly stir in chocolate chips, don’t stir too much or they will all melt. Place skillet in preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. It’s done baking when two inches in from edge comes out with smooth when tested with toothpick. Don’t bake until center is totally cooked, the pan will stay hot and it will dry out the cookie and it won’t have that really great moist center. Serve warm with a drizzle with hot fudge sauce and vanilla ice cream and sprinkle some nutmeg on top.

Source: Created by Diane

To commemorate National Chocolate Chip Day, try baking one of these unusual Chocolate Chip Cookie recipes!