Maple Bacon Cupcakes Because We All Have To Live A Little

These Maple Bacon cupcakes are everything I want out of a dessert and more. You know that feeling when you are eating breakfast and the maple syrup from your pancakes crosses over to where your bacon is sitting on your plate? The sheer bliss? Well, add that utopia to a cupcake. You’re welcome for this salty treat recipe idea.

I am such a fan of cupcakes! Cupcakes with cream fillings, black forest cupcakes, carrot cake cupcakes, popcorn cupcakes, penguin cupcakes made with Oreos, speculoos cupcakes, gluten free cookies and cream cupcakes, strawberry cheesecake cupcakes… and more. I can go on and on!

Maple Bacon Cupcakes Because We All Have To Live A Little

Because there is so much flavor in the icing of this recipe, the cupcake itself is actually pretty light and fluffy. Your taste buds will thank you for that combination because the two really do complement one another.

Bacon Must Be In Liquid Form

There are a few things to note about these maple bacon cupcakes. You need your bacon fat in liquid form. That means that you will have to have it cooked and cooled a little to handle. But do not get it so cooled that it’s actually solid. If it’s solid, then it won’t work for this recipe. 

If you are working with solid bacon grease, heat what you have in the microwave for about 10-20 seconds on 50% power (or as needed) to melt the grease back down to its liquid state. You will need to allow it to cool again. Your best bet is to make bacon in the morning. Set it aside and then make this recipe in the afternoon. That’s how I do it. Small tip – but it will go a long way.  

You Need A Large Tip For This Maple Bacon Cupcake Recipe

This section contains affiliate links. 

We will need to put the bacon pieces in the frosting. So, you will need to put them in a large tip, such as 1A (used) or 4B. Otherwise, the bits will get stuck in the tip. If you don’t have a 1A tip, just snip the end of a pastry bag about 3/8″ – 1/2″ with scissors.

Here are some links in case you want to order the products ahead. 

• IA (used in this recipe)
• 4B

Maple Bacon Cupcakes Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 whole egg
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons bacon grease
• 1/2 cup half and half

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered confectioners’ sugar, divided
• 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 cup bacon, cooked and diced
• 3-4 pieces of bacon, cooked and broken into small pieces (24, 1/2′ pieces)

How To Make Maple Bacon Cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 325 and fill a 12 cavity muffin tin with cupcake liners. Set aside. In a medium bowl, mix together your dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, beat softened butter with a mixer for 30 seconds on medium speed with an electric mixer. Add sugar and beat for 1 minute. Add your remaining wet ingredients – egg, egg yolks, vanilla, and bacon grease. Beat well. Add flour and half and half, alternating between mixing. Mix just until combined.

Use a 3 tablespoon portion scoop to scoop batter into prepared baking pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until center is done when a toothpick is inserted in the center.

Let everything cool completely before frosting.

Frosting Directions:

Beat your butter with a mixer until smooth. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and beat well. Add maple syrup, milk, and remaining powdered sugar. Beat the maple bacon cupcakes batter well until fluffy and all delicious flavors have combined.

Now comes the fun part. The part I’ve been waiting for!! Ladies and gents – fold in the diced bacon. YAHOO. 

Place frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes and add two small bacon slices on top of the cupcakes. If you want to add more bacon slices, feel free. Serve and enjoy. 

You can make 12 maple bacon cupcakes with this recipe.

Can I Make This Recipe With Cupcake Mix?

You can absolutely use a premade cake mix to make these maple bacon cupcakes! Just skip to the frosting part. Just remember, boxed cake mix calls for a little extra love, like vanilla extract.

What Is The Best Bacon To Use For This Recipe?

It is best to use super thick bacon for this recipe as it will hold up best with the frosting. Crispy bacon bits taste best with the sweetness of the cake mix and the ones found in shakers just don’t have the same appeal.

Can I Refrigerate The Leftovers? 

Sure thing – you can absolutely refrigerate any leftovers you have from this recipe! You can leave them in their cupcake tin form and wrap them up in foil or transfer them to an airtight container. The choice is yours.

What do you think about this scrumptious bacon cake recipe? Something you’d like to try? Who in your family will be most eager to be the first to taste test this delectable bite with real bacon inside and maple flavoring all about? Would love to hear your thoughts about these delicious cupcakes!

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