Maple Bacon Cupcakes

I’m not a huge fan of putting maple syrup on my pancakes unless there are also bacon and eggs on my plate. I love love LOVE the taste of bacon with anything sweet. So, when I saw this recipe, I was super excited! They were delicious! I wasn’t too happy about the frosting, so, next time I make this (which will be very soon, I’m sure) I will tweak the recipe a little in hopes of making it a little smoother. I also added maple extract along with the syrup in the frosting so it would have a stronger maple flavor without adding any more sweetness. I do live in Wisconsin after all and they love their maple syrup here. :)

Ingredients

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

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.

2 - Beat the crud out of the butter and solidified bacon fat ’till light and creamy. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup and beat well until combined.

3 - Add the egg and beat until incorporated.

4 - Sift the flour, salt, baking soda and powder together.

5 - 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.

Maple Syrup Frosting

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons of butter
• 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
• 1 cup of powdered sugar
• turbinado sugar (optional, for decorating)
• coarse grain sea salt (optional, for decorating)

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.