Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Last Updated on May 9, 2020 by Heather

These Maple Bacon Cupcakes are the perfect pairing of sweet rich maple cupcakes, maple buttercream frosting and crunchy salty bacon. Make using a Duncan Hines cake mix, these Maple Bacon Cupcakes are easy to make and sure to be any bacon lovers favorite cupcake.

There are things in life that are so wrong together but yet they feel so right. Maple Bacon Cupcakes fit into that category in the most delicious way. Let me explain…

I’m talking about purple and lime green as a color combination, Kid Rock together with the Bee Gees, pouring M&Ms into a bowl of hot popcorn. The list goes on and on and it also includes the most delicious pairing of all, maple and bacon.

I will admit that when maple bacon anything first hit the streets years ago, I was quite skeptical.  Why would anyone think bacon and maple would go together like PB&J was beyond me. Until I tried it and then the Universe made sense and It was wise.  The salty crunchiness of the bacon being used as a backdrop against the sweet, rich maple flavor automatically turns whatever that culinary creation is into edible gold.  I was a believer.

These days there is maple bacon EVERYTHING… cookies, donuts, cakes and cupcakes. Everyone seems to have a recipe and I will be honest, I wasn’t sure what I could bring to the party that hadn’t already been brought.  No one likes two identical taco salads at a potluck, get my drift?  What makes these cupcakes different from the others is sheer amount of maple flavor packed into a little paper cupcake wrapper.  The first batch of cupcakes I did were delicious and then I was told by my official cupcake tester (aka Big Scary Mike) MORE MAPLE.  So back I went and added more maple and laid out another sample for him and I was told MORE MAPLE.  Somewhat discouraged, I began thinking Mike was just trying to stockpile 6 dozen cupcakes all for himself.  But I went back and added yet more maple and once again brought him his sample and was finally rewarded with a big thumbs up.

My job was done.

CAN I USE THE PRE-COOKED BACON IN A POUCH FOR MAPLE BACON CUPCAKES?

You can use the pre-cooked bacon in the pouches (usually found in the salad dressing aisle at your grocery store) in a pinch but I would suggest using real bacon you cooked up yourself for this recipe.  I have tried both and I find the fresh cooked bacon has a better consistency and … well … tastes more like BACON.

HOW CAN I IMPROVE A BOX CAKE MIX TO TASTE LIKE A BAKERY CAKE?

If you want to make a box cake mix taste like a bakery cake, start by looking at the directions on the cake mix and add one or even two extra eggs than what is called for. Next, use melted butter in place of the oil and double the amount called for. Lastly, use whole milk instead of water.

HOW DO YOU MAKE MAPLE BACON CUPCAKES?

Easy! To make Maple Bacon Cupcakes, start with the bacon. Lay out your pieces of uncooked bacon on a cookie sheet covered in foil and bake for 15-20 minutes in a 400 degree oven. Once your bacon is crisp, remove the bacon to a paper towel covered plate to drain away the grease and set aside. Next, preheat oven to 350 degrees or whatever the boxed cake mix calls for and line a cupcake tin with paper liners.

Combine your Maple Bacon Cupcakes batter as instructed but add in one extra egg white, substitute the water for milk and use melted butter in place of the oil and double the amount of oil called for. Add in the vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup and mix to combine. Fill your cupcake tins 2/3 of the way full with the batter and bake your Maple Bacon Cupcakes in the oven for the suggested amount of time on the box.

When your Maple Bacon Cupcakes are done, remove from the oven and let sit for 1 minute before moving Maple Bacon Cupcakes to a rack to cool. Once your cupcakes are completely cool, make your Maple 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, vanilla 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 Maple Bacon Cupcakes and then using your fingers, lightly crumble the bacon into small pieces and then add  it to the frosting and lightly press to make sure they stick.

Believe me, when you crumble up that bacon and sprinkle it on top, every man in your household to suddenly find a reason to be in the kitchen. These Maple Bacon Cupcakes are a little off the beaten path but I promise you will not be disappointed. Take a little walk on the wild side and your day will look a little brighter… plus you will have cupcakes and that is never a bad thing.

ENJOY!!

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Maple Bacon Cupcakes

These Maple Bacon Cupcakes are the perfect pairing of sweet rich maple and crunchy salty bacon. Make using a Duncan Hines cake mix, these Maple Bacon Cupcakes are easy to make and sure to be any bacon lovers favorite cupcake. | A Wicked Whisk | https://www.awickedwhisk.com

4.56 from 63 votes

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Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 24 Cupcakes

Calories: 173.6kcal

Author: Heather - A Wicked Whisk

Ingredients

Maple Cupcakes

• 1 box Duncan Hines butter pecan cake mix
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 6 pieces bacon cooked crispy

Maple Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• Lay out your pieces of uncooked bacon on a cookie sheet covered in foil and bake for 15-20 minutes in a 400 degree oven. Once your bacon is crisp, remove the bacon to a paper towel covered plate to drain away the grease and set aside. 
• Next, preheat oven to 350 degrees or whatever the boxed cake mix calls for and line a cupcake tin with paper liners. Combine your Maple Bacon Cupcakes batter as instructed but add in one extra egg white, substitute the water for milk and use melted butter in place of the oil and double the amount of oil called for. Add in the vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup and mix to combine. 
• Fill your cupcake tins 2/3 of the way full with the batter and bake your Maple Bacon Cupcakes in the oven for the suggested amount of time on the box. When your Maple Bacon Cupcakes are done, remove from the oven and let sit for 1 minute before moving Maple Bacon Cupcakes to a rack to cool. 
• Once your cupcakes are completely cool, make your Maple 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, vanilla 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 Maple Bacon Cupcakes and then using your fingers, lightly crumble the bacon into small pieces and then add it to the frosting and lightly press to make sure they stick.

Nutrition

Serving: 24g | Calories: 173.6kcal | Carbohydrates: 36.4g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 2.7g | Saturated Fat: 1.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.6g | Cholesterol: 5.3mg | Sodium: 188.1mg | Potassium: 25.1mg | Sugar: 27.8g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 0.5mg

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