Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes are the perfect combination of moist, delicate chocolate bourbon cupcakes topped off with decadent maple Maker’s Mark bourbon buttercream frosting and then garnished with little pieces of crispy bacon.

Whew! Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes .. say that five times fast.  Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes are my latest creation and I have to say, my brand new reason to wake up in the morning.

Wait.. WHAT?  What in the heck are Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes? Let me tell you all about it … Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes are the perfect combination of moist, delicate chocolate bourbon cupcakes topped off with decadent maple Maker’s Mark bourbon buttercream frosting and then garnished with little pieces of crispy bacon. Forget about being the perfect ‘man cupcake’ … hello? Father’s Day, anyone? … these Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes are legit the best cupcakes for just about anyone! #over21yearsoldplease

IS THE BOURBON TASTE SUPER STRONG IN THESE BOURBON CUPCAKES?

The bourbon taste in these Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes is not too strong but you cant taste there is a hint of it in there.  The flavor is more pronounced in the Maple Bourbon Buttercream Frosting than in the cupcakes themselves.

HOW DO I SERVE BOURBON CUPCAKES TO A MIXED CROWD?

It’s completely expected that Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes may not be for everyone in your household or at a party.  To be able to serve up these Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes to both bourbon enthusiasts and non-partakers alike, simply split the batter into two bowl once you have combined all of the ingredients EXCEPT THE BOURBON and then then add only half of the bourbon called for in the recipe.  Same applies for the frosting, simply split the batch and add the bourbon to only one half.  Just remember which cupcakes get the bourbon buttercream and which do not 🙂

HOW DO I MAKE CHOCOLATE BOURBON MAPLE BACON CUPCAKES?

Easy! To make your Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes, start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Adding your flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder to a large mixing bowl.

Stir the dry ingredients around to combine them and then add in the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, bourbon and hot water.  Mix to combine for 1 – 2 minutes and then spoon batter into your cupcake tins, careful to fill cupcake liners only about half way up.

Bake for 19-22 minutes, remove Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes from the muffin tin and move to a cooling rack. While your cupcakes are cooling, cook off the bacon in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once bacon is cooked crisp, move bacon to a paper towel to drain the grease. Once the bacon is cool to touch, dice up and set aside.

When cupcakes are completely cool, make your Maple Bourbon Buttercream Frosting. Start by adding softened butter to a large mixing bowl and beating until creamy.  Sift in the powdered sugar and salt, then add in the maple syrup and bourbon and mix to combine. If the frosting is too thin, add in more powdered sugar, if it is too thick, add a bit of milk to thin the frosting out. Frost your Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes and then using your fingers, lightly add the bacon pieces to the frosting and lightly press to make sure they stick.

That’s how easy it is to make these Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes. These chocolate cupcakes are moist and decadent and the perfect savory twist on your favorite sweet treat.  And did I mention how perfect these Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes are for Father’s Day?  Just helping you out on that one …

Note: I used Makers Mark Bourbon in this recipe for my Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes.  That’s just my personal choice. If you prefer the taste of another bourbon, feel free to substitute.

ENJOY!!

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Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

35 mins

 

Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes are the perfect combination of moist, delicate chocolate bourbon cupcakes topped off with decadent maple bourbon buttercream frosting and then garnished with little pieces of crispy bacon. Perfect savory twist on a sweet treat classic, these Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes are amazing!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 36

Calories: 205.8 kcal

Author: Heather

Ingredients

Chocolate Bourbon Cupcakes

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ounce espresso powder
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/3 cup Makers Mark bourbon
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 cup hot water

Maple Bourbon Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup butter softened
• 4 cup powdered sugar sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons Makers Mark bourbon

Bacon Garnish

• 6 pieces bacon crispy

Instructions

1. Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. 

2. Adding your flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder to a large mixing bowl. Stir the dry ingredients around to combine them and then add in the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, bourbon and hot water. Mix to combine for 1 - 2 minutes and then spoon batter into your cupcake tins, careful to fill cupcake liners only about half way up. 
3. Bake for 19-22 minutes, remove Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes from the muffin tin and move to a cooling rack. 
4. While your cupcakes are cooling, cook off the bacon in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once bacon is cooked crisp, move bacon to a paper towel to drain the grease. Once the bacon is cool to touch, dice up and set aside. 
5. When cupcakes are completely cool, make your Maple Bourbon Buttercream Frosting. Start by adding softened butter to a large mixing bowl and beating until creamy. Sift in the powdered sugar and salt, then add in the maple syrup and bourbon and mix to combine. If the frosting is too thin, add in more powdered sugar, if it is too thick, add a bit of milk to thin the frosting out. Frost your Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes and then using your fingers, lightly add the bacon pieces to the frosting and lightly press to make sure they stick. 

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Amount Per Serving (36 g)

Calories 205.8 Calories from Fat 73

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8.1g 12%

Saturated Fat 5.1g 26%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g

Monounsaturated Fat 1.8g

Cholesterol 29.9mg 10%

Sodium 217.4mg 9%

Potassium 66mg 2%

Total Carbohydrates 32.5g 11%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 25.8g

Protein 1.9g 4%

Vitamin A 4.4%

Vitamin C 0.1%

Calcium 3.7%

Iron 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.