Sweet Heat Salty Bacon Buttons

One of my very favorite sites is having a contest.. Here's my entry to the second annual Mystery Lover's Kitchen Cookie Contest!

You've heard me talk about the Mystery Lover's Kitchen, that blog featuring the 6 Merry Murderesses (well murder authors at least), each rotating a day a week with fun incites into the literary world, their personal life on occasion and some really terrific recipes.

Click the book cover to see
Krista Davis Website

One of the Murderesses is Krista Davis, author of the Domestic Diva Mystery Series.

Her first book in the series was a Thanksgiving themed book (draw that hot hot bath, a little soothing music, a candle and escape the visiting in-laws during the "joyous" Holiday).  The Diva Runs Out of Thyme features the return of Sophie Winston, Event Planner and lifestyle columnist.  And BTW, I was just at the bookstore...   The Diva Runs Out of Thyme is still in print and easy to find.

And what great timing, as the murder is centered around a Thanksgiving from Hell.

I was so happy to pick up Krista's first Domestic Diva book.  I have read them all (not in the right order), and enjoyed every one!  I consider this a belated Thanksgiving gift from Krista.  What a fun, timely read!

Click the Praline Cookie photo to get details
of how to enter the MLK Cookie Contest

I'll get to my recipe in a second, but let me do a little bragging first...

See the photo to the right...

That was my entrant to the contest last year.  Pecan Lace Praline cookies.  Think Pecan Pralines with an orange buttercream filling!  And it won a prize!!!  So, the stars were in alignment for me to luck my way into a win last year...

Dare I take a shot at two years in a row???

Well, with these I sure would.

First, let me make my case...

It's an adult cookie that will bring joy to your party.  Guaranteed, plate full of sugar cookies next to a plate full of these, and your guests will at the least talk about them with a smile on their faces.  And once they taste them, they will continue to talk about them with joy!

It's simple, fast, easy and foolproof... 4 ingredients and no baking.

It's original... No Martha, no book, no magazine... This came from my head, based on adaptations of recipes I made in the past, PLUS an idea I stole learned from reading one of the books by Cleo Coyle (author of the Coffee House Mystery series).

And finally... Get the guys involved.  Cookies are a kid thing, most made by the women folk (sexist but true), enjoyed by children... But these, while enjoyed by the ladies and possibly by the kids.  But add these to your party and believe me... The men folk Love 'em.

So Krista (or whomever is judging), can you say that about all the sugar, peppermint, over iced, over sweet hideous creations the rest are submitting?

So, here you go...  SWEET HEAT SALTY BACON BUTTONS

Ingredients...

1 bag Dark Chocolate Chocolate chips
1 STRONG Espresso Shot
1 Pound Thick Cut Bacon (Fried, dried and diced)
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper

Melt the chocolate (Microwave in short bursts, stirring in between).
Add the Espresso Shot and mix well
Line up tiny cupcake papers and add 1/2 teaspoon of melted chocolate in the bottom of each paper
add a tiny (and I mean tiny) pinch of cayenne spice to the top of each.  Not enough to change the taste to a pepper chocolate, but just enough to add an interesting taste.  About 1/4 of a normal pinch is plenty.

top with 1 tsp of crumbled crispy bacon and press into the chocolate.

Allow to cool and watch as the sugar "traditional" cookies sit there while these become the life of your party!