Bacon, Bacon, Bacon. Let us make Cupcakes!

Bacon is all the rage these days. As these things tend to go in cycles, Cupcakes, Frozen Yogurt, and yes Bacon. My friend Chris recently turned 30 and he is a bacon lover. So, another friend Wendy suggested we try bacon cupcakes as a gift. Being the wannabe chef that I am, I figured why not be a baker too. She sent me a recipe and I researched several others. I recommend giving them a try. This recipe makes 6.

Maple Bacon Cupcakes!

What You'll Need...
4 1/2 tablespoons of butter, room temperature
1/2 tablespoon of bacon drippings (left in the fridge to become solid)
1 egg
5 tablespoons of brown sugar
4 tablespoons maple syrup
1 1/4 cup of self rising flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
tiny tiny pinch of salt
1/4 cup of milk
1/4 cup of minced bacon, cooked and drained

What You'll Do...
1) Cook some bacon in a fry pan (about 6 thick strips). Reserve the drippings and place in the fridge to solidify. Mince 1/4 a cup of the bacon. The chef should eat whatever is left to assure that the bacon is tasty. (this last being my favorite part of the recipe)

2) Preheat Oven to 350

3) Beat the butter and solidified bacon fat 'till light and creamy. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup and beat well until combined.

4) Add the egg and beat until incorporated.

5) Sift the flour, salt, baking soda and powder together.

6) Add some of the flour and mix, then some of the milk, then continue to alternate the dry and wet ingredients, ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in the bacon. Taste and add more maple syrup, flour, or milk if needed for desired taste. Keep in mind the maple frosting is very sweet, and to add in very small increments for alterations as maple syrup in large amounts can break a cake batter.

6) Scoop into cupcake papers and bake at 350 F for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Be sure to rotate the pan after the first 15 minutes for even baking.

For the Amazing Maple Frosting you will need...

4 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of maple syrup
1 cup of powdered sugar
turbinado sugar
coarse grain sea salt

What You'll Do...
Combine the syrup and butter until combined. Add the sugar, a bit at a time, and whip at high speeds until combined. Pipe or spread onto cupcakes. Sprinkle on sea salt and turbinado sugar for decoration and a lot of added flavor.

There you have it!



This recipe was originally created by Garrett McCord. I made a few, as you go tweaks but over all this is a pretty solid recipe. Candles courtesy of Wendy! They were a huge hit!