Boo !!!!

Tonight is HALLOWEEN night…………….for us, it’s different than any other Halloween we’ve had because there will be either NO trick or treaters or very few. A few people in our neighborhood here at the castle have decorated outside but not many. Most Halloween celebrations are inside and no candy will be given out so lots of people are just having some good old family fun for the evening. So I propose we give you a recipe this week for a Halloween treat that’s incredibly decadent and probably scary from the calories point of view but hey – it’s HALLOWEEN!

Grilled Chocolate Chip Cookie Bacon S’Mores

INGREDIENTS Yields 12

12 thick-cut slices bacon (hickory smoked, Applewood smoked or maple)

12 large marshmallows

12 2-inch squares chocolate good quality

12 skewers

12 tablespoons butter, softened

3⁄4 cup brown sugar

1⁄4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 egg plus 1 egg yolk

2 cups flour

1 3.4-ounce box instant French vanilla pudding mix, dry, not prepared

1 teaspoon baking soda

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS (this calls for grilling…..I bet you clever people can figure out a way to do this without firing up the grill!)

Make the cookies: In a bowl, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar for 1 to 2 minutes until light and very fluffy. Add vanilla, egg and egg yolk, and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, pudding mix, baking soda, and salt.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until incorporated and dough comes together. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover very tightly and chill for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Roll dough into balls (about 11⁄2 inch) and space 2 to 3 inches apart on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned on top. Allow to cool 5 to 10 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

To grill the bacon: Heat a grill to medium-high heat. Thread bacon onto skewers in an S-shape. Place skewers directly on grill and cook 8 to 12 minutes, rotating as needed to ensure even cooking. Transfer to a plate, let cool and then remove bacon from skewers. Set aside.

Meanwhile, roast the marshmallows: Roast marshmallows directly over the grill using skewers or roasting sticks until cooked to your preference.

Assemble s’mores: Flip one cookie over so it’s upside down. Place a square of chocolate on top of the upside-down cookie, then top with grilled marshmallow, bacon and a right side-up second cookie. Serve immediately.