1-First, make the apple butter by cooking the peeled and cored apples with a pinch of salt, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, and 1 1/2 cups water until the apples are soft.

2-Once soft, process them through a food mill or processor, then return to the stove and add spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg along with 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup white sugar.

3-Cook slowly until thickened, which takes about 1 to 2 hours, and then store it chilled or for longer use.

4-Next, preheat your oven to 350 degrees for the cookies.

5-Cream 1 cup butter and 1 cup sugar together until fluffy, then beat in 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

6-Mix in 2 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking powder to form the dough, and chill it for at least 1 hour.

7-Roll the dough to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into 2 1/2-inch circles, then bake for 7 to 9 minutes and let cool.

8-For the bacon dust, chop 6 strips of bacon and cook until the grease is frothy, then drain and pulse with 3 teaspoons brown sugar in a food processor until you get the right texture.

9-To make the icing, cream 1/2 cup softened butter and 4 ounces softened cream cheese, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and gradually mix in 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar until creamy.

10-Finally, assemble by spreading 1 tablespoon of apple butter on one cookie, sandwich with another, frost with the icing, and sprinkle bacon dust on top.