Maple Bacon Cookies – Easy Shortbreads You’ll Love

I loved this maple bacon cookies so much I begged the bakery for the recipe.

Shortbreads could be the most underrated cookie out there. They have mastered the ability to be rich and buttery while also having a crumbly texture.

And it’s so versatile you can fold almost anything into shortbread cookies. Including some of my favourite ingredients!

Maple + Bacon

When I think about Ontario, these are the two iconic ingredients of our province.

Last year I visited Ontario’s maple syrup capital Lanark County to make maple syrup and eat it every way possible.

And our capital, Toronto, has a huge tradition of pork and it’s why one of our nicknames is Hogtown.

But as the city grew the abattoirs left and the most famous pork is in Perth County.

It has a strong backbone of Mennonite and other farmers who make some of the best pork in the world – and yes I say confidently this is after I ate pork in Italy.

ALSO READ: Where to Eat in Perth County

Perth County is anchored by its largest city Stratford, which is still relatively small with a population just over 30,000.

But it’s a very popular tourist destination as it has an internationally known theatre festival.

But don’t let that deter you.

There is an older crowd coming for Shakespeare (I swear I was one of two people in the theatre under 50) but there’s so many other things to do here.

In fact, Stratford is a a perfect weekend getaway from Toronto.

CHECK OUT: The Best Restaurants in Stratford Ontario

What I love about Stratford is that, thanks to the theatre, it still has a booming downtown.

It’s easy to park your car and just walk around the shops and cafes.

In fact, they have one of the best food and drink trails I’ve been on because so much is accessible by foot. There’s no need for a designated driver.

The Stratford Bacon and Ale Trail includes a series of breweries, bars and shops that are a short walk from each other.

You can walk for pork and pints – what better way to spend a day.

There are a few spots that are not walkable. But the good news is that you don’t have to complete the trail in one day.

The pass lasts one week from activation so you can stop at the businesses that are farther away on your drive in or out of Stratford.

And it would be a good idea to do so because I loved the maple bacon cookies at Black Angus Bakery – so much I had to have the recipe.

In fact, the second time I visited Perth County

I stopped into Stratford just to buy more shortbreads at Black Angus and candy at Barr’s Chocolates (no pork or pints here, just amazing chocolate).

Black Angus Bakery & Catering

I love it when shops are confident enough to share a recipe. Because as easy as it is to make these maple bacon cookies at home, I still stop in to the shop.

For the Bacon and Ale Trail they offer a generous dozen bacon shortbreads. It’s the perfect Stratford souvenir.

If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen they also offer single portion homemade meals you can just pop in an oven.

Everything at Black Angus Bakery is made from scratch.

They also offer many gluten-free items, including shortbreads, bread, lasagna, meatloaf and pot pies.

With chain stores taking over the world it’s nice to see independent shops like this still doing it right.

Maple Bacon Cookies

This recipe really lets quality ingredients shine.

So if you use cheap butter, fake vanilla and budget bacon it’s not going to be as good as splurging on delicious ingredients.

Continue to Content

Maple Bacon Shortbread Cookies

Yield: 12-18

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

I loved this maple bacon cookies so much I begged the bakery for the recipe.

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Ingredients

• 8 strips bacon
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

Maple Bacon

1. In a frying pan over medium heat, cook 8 pieces of bacon until medium-well done (not crispy) and drain on paper towels.

2. Chop bacon finely and add back to frying pan over medium heat. Continue to cook and stir the bacon until crispy.

3. Turn the heat to low and add slowly 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup. Stir constantly and continue cooking another 5 to 10 minutes until nice and crispy.

4. Transfer onto paper towel to cool.

Shortbread Base

1. Preheat oven to 325F

2. In a mixer, cream together butter, icing sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy.

3. On low speed gradually add the flour until blended thoroughly.

4. Knead cooled maple bacon into cookie dough.

5. Scoop the desired size on parchment lined cookie sheets, flatten slightly.

6. Bake at 325 F until lightly browned on the edges, 12-15 minutes depending on how large and thick the cookies are.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 18 Serving Size: 1 Amount Per Serving: Calories: 263Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 89mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 4g

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although BaconisMagic.ca attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Want More Ideas for Ontario? Check Out:

Ottawa Valley Maple Adventures

Grey County – Two Hours North of Toronto

Mushroom Foraging in Ontario Southwest