The Best Maple Bacon Cupcakes

best maple bacon cupcakes

Maple bacon cupcakes. Yes, they are as magical as they sound. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been asked for this recipe. And until now I’ve never given it out. I know that’s a little selfish, but it’s one of the very first recipes I created on my own and to be quite honest I sort of liked having the best one.

But here we are now, all stuck at home thanks to COVID-19. Social distancing is keeping us apart and it’s become a prime time for people to do some good old-fashioned baking. So much baking that basic staples like flour, eggs, and vanilla have become hard to find. If you’re lucky enough to have those things in your house, I hope you’re baking up a storm. If you haven’t been, I hope this recipe for maple bacon cupcakes inspires you.

So I’m giving you the recipe. You deserve it. Now you can make these delicious maple bacon cupcakes whenever you want. For any occasion. Or no occasion at all. Have them for breakfast if you want! It really is like pancakes and bacon.

Here are some important points to remember.

1. You don’t have to sift your flour, but doing so will give you softer, fluffier cupcakes.

2. DO NOT bake the bacon inside the cupcakes. This will make the inside of your cupcakes greasy. No one wants to eat a greasy cupcake.

3. Some other recipes tend to add more syrup to the frosting. I’ve found this makes the frosting overly sweet and too loose to pipe and hold its shape. If you want more maple flavor, consider decreasing the amount of milk and adding a little more maple flavoring.

4. Baking these in unbleached baking cups gives them a simpler, more rustic feel.

If there’s one thing that bugs me about food blogs, it’s the endless scrolling before you get to the actual recipe. So let’s skip that part and get right to it. mmmmkay? mmmmkay.

Rating: 5 out of 5.
5 from 1 vote
Print

Maple Bacon Cupcakes

These amazing cupcakes with bacon hidden in the middle will knock the socks off of anyone who tries them.

Course Dessert
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 8 minutes
Servings 18 cupcakes

Ingredients

Maple Bacon Cupcakes

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 stick unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 9 strips thick sliced bacon

Maple Buttercream Frosting

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter softened
  • 3 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp maple extract
  • 3 1/2 – 4 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1-3 Tbsp milk optional

Instructions

For the cake

  1. Cook the bacon and set aside to drain.

  2. Preheat oven to 350.

  3. Place cupcake liners in muffin tin.

  4. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ginger together. Set aside.

  5. In a large bowl beat butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy. Add in eggs one at a time, scraping down the inside of the bowl as necessary.

  6. Add syrup and vanilla and mix until blended.

  7. Mix flour in 3 batches, alternating with the buttermilk until combined.

  8. Fill muffin liners about 3/4 full.

  9. Bake approximately 18 minutes.

  10. Cool in pan then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

  11. While cupcakes are cooling, use a knife to cut a slit in the top.

  12. Break each slice of bacon into fourths and place 1/4 inside each cupcake once cooled.

For the frosting

  1. Beat butter, cream cheese, and salt on medium-high until light and fluffy, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl several times to incorporate all the butter/cream cheese.

  2. Add the maple extract.

  3. Add the confectioners sugar 1/4 cup at a time. ( You may want to add a little more of less depending on the desired consistency.)

  4. If the consistency becomes too thick for piping, add milk 1 Tbsp at a time until you get the desired consistency.

  5. Pipe frosting onto completely cooled cupcakes.

  6. Use the rest of the bacon as garnish.

Recipe Notes

Turning your pans midway through baking helps to ensure even baking.

I hope you make these maple bacon cupcakes all the time and they become a favorite of your family. They have definitely become a favorite of mine. And now you can be the selfish one with the recipe you refuse to share. Or not. It’s all up to you.

For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Psalm 107:9
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin