Marry Me Cookies are the ultimate indulgence, blending sweet and savory in every bite. These bacon-infused treats boast a perfect balance of crispy edges and chewy centers, with a hint of smoky richness. In just 15 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of baking, you’ll create a cookie that’s as unforgettable as its name. The aroma of caramelized sugar and sizzling bacon will fill your kitchen, promising a flavor explosion that’s both comforting and decadent.
Each cookie is a masterpiece of texture, with tender crumb and a satisfying crunch from the bacon bits. The buttery dough, cooled for 45 minutes, ensures a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Packed with 4g of protein per serving, these cookies are a guilt-free way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect for sharing or savoring solo, they’re guaranteed to win hearts and taste buds alike.
Ingredients for Marry Me Cookies (Bacon Cookies!)
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter (browned for extra flavor)
- 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar
- ⅔ cup (135 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature for better mixing)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups (340 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for soft cookies)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- Flaky sea salt (optional, for sprinkling)
- ⅔ cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramels (about 12 caramels cut into 6 pieces each)
- 4 oz (113 g) semisweet chocolate bar (finely chopped)
- ½ heaping cup crumbled bacon (about 5 slices)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the butter: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium/low heat. Increase heat slightly and stir constantly until golden brown bits form. Remove from heat, pour into a heatproof bowl, and let cool to room temperature (about 45 minutes).
- Preheat oven: Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Make the dough: Once butter is cool, add brown sugar and granulated sugar. Stir well. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in 4-5 parts, stirring until fully combined after each addition. The dough will be stiff.
- Add mix-ins: Fold in caramel pieces, chopped chocolate, and crumbled bacon until evenly distributed.
- Shape cookies: Scoop dough into 2 Tablespoon-sized portions, roll into balls, and place on prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 9-11 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.
- Cool and enjoy: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet before serving.
How to Store and Keep Your Cookies Fresh
Once your Marry Me Cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Pro tip: Add a slice of bread to the container to keep the cookies soft and chewy!
Creative Serving Suggestions
These bacon cookies are a showstopper on their own, but you can elevate them further! Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert, or pair with a glass of cold milk for a classic treat. For a fun twist, crumble them over a bowl of salted caramel or chocolate pudding.
Time-Saving Tips for Busy Bakers
Short on time? Prepare the browned butter ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days—just let it come to room temperature before using. You can also pre-cook and crumble the bacon in advance. Bonus tip: Use pre-chopped caramel bits and chocolate chips to skip the chopping step entirely!
Recipe Variations to Try
Feel free to customize these cookies to your taste! Swap the semisweet chocolate for dark or milk chocolate, or use toffee bits instead of caramel. For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add a pinch of smoked paprika for a similar smoky flavor. Experiment and make it your own!
Essential Equipment for Perfect Cookies
To make these cookies effortlessly, you’ll need a medium-sized saucepan for browning the butter, a sturdy whisk for mixing, and a cookie scoop for evenly sized portions. A silicone baking mat or parchment paper is a must to prevent sticking, and a cooling rack ensures your cookies set perfectly. Happy baking!
Marry Me Cookies (Bacon Cookies!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- flaky sea salt for sprinkling optional
- ⅔ cup caramel bits or chopped caramels I cut 12 soft caramels into 6 pieces each
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate bar finely chopped
- ½ heaping cup crumbled bacon about 5 slices
Instructions
- First, brown your butter: Place butter in a medium-sized saucepan and melt over medium/low heat.
- Once butter has melted, increase stovetop heat to just above medium heat and stir constantly. The butter will begin to bubble and sizzle. Keep stirring.
- Once you notice bits beginning to turn golden brown on the bottom, remove the butter from heat and pour into a large heatproof bowl. Let this cool to room temperature before proceeding.
- Cookie Dough: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Once butter is no longer warm to the touch, add sugars and stir well.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract and stir until completely combined.
- In a separate bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt (not the sea salt, reserve that for topping).
- Gradually (in 4-5 parts) add your flour mixture to butter mixture, stirring until ingredients are completely combined after each addition. Batter will be stiff, this is normal.
- Add caramel pieces, chopped chocolate, and crumbled bacon and stir until combined.
- Scoop dough into 2 Tablespoon-sized scoops and gently roll in your hands to form a ball. Place on prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies 2” apart.
- Bake on 375F (190C) for 9-11 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are beginning to turn golden brown. Immediately sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt.
- Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet then enjoy.