Maple Bacon Cupcakes

These Maple Bacon Cupcakes combine sweet, fluffy maple cupcakes with rich maple buttercream and crispy bacon for the ultimate sweet-and-savory treat. They're easy enough to make with a boxed cake mix but special enough for birthdays, holidays, parties, and any occasion that calls for an unforgettable dessert.

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Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Why You'll Love These Maple Bacon Cupcakes

• Combines sweet maple flavor with salty, crispy bacon for a fun flavor combination.

• Starts with a boxed cake mix for a convenient shortcut that saves time.

• Makes 24 cupcakes, making it perfect for parties, birthdays, bake sales, and gatherings.

• Easy to prepare ahead for entertaining or special occasions.

• Uses simple ingredients that are easy to find at most grocery stores.

• Individual cupcakes make serving effortless, no slicing or plating required.

• The maple buttercream adds a rich, creamy finish that makes these cupcakes feel extra special.

• Crispy bacon on top adds a delicious salty crunch to every bite.

• Easy to decorate with different piping techniques and toppings.

• Fun, unexpected dessert that's sure to get attention at parties and family gatherings.

Baking Tips & Tricks

• Cook the bacon until very crisp so it stays crunchy when sprinkled over the frosting.

• Don't overfill the cupcake liners, filling them about two-thirds full gives the cupcakes room to rise without overflowing.

• Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting or the buttercream can melt and slide off.

• Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature before making the frosting for the smoothest, fluffiest consistency.

• Add the heavy cream gradually to the frosting, just enough to create a light, pipeable consistency without making it too soft.

Maple Bacon Cupcakes Recipe

Prep: 15 mins. | Cook: 20 mins. | Makes: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix

• 1 c. flour

• 1 c. sugar

• 4 large eggs

• 2 tsp. vegetable oil

• 1 c. sour cream

• 1 c. water

• ¼ cup pure maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Maple Buttercream

• 1 c. butter, softened

• 1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

• 4 c. confectioners’ sugar

• 2 T. pure maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ¼ tsp salt

• 2 T. heavy cream (if needed)

• 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and finely chopped

Let's Get Started!

Make the bacon

1. Cook bacon until very crisp. Drain and crumble. Reserve some larger pieces for decorating.

Make the cupcakes

1. Heat oven to 350°F and line two muffin pans with cupcake liners.

2. In a large bowl, add cake mix, flour, sugar

3. In a separate medium bowl whisk, eggs, oil, sour cream, water, maple syrup and vanilla.

4. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture, using a stand or hand mixer, mix for about 2 minutes, until smooth.

5. Fill cupcake liners about ⅔ full.

6. Bake 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.

Maple Buttercream Icing

1. Beat softened butter and cream cheese for 2 minutes until fluffy.

2. Gradually add powdered sugar. Add maple syrup, vanilla and salt.

3. Beat in heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, if needed until the frosting is light and fluffy.

4. Use a Ziplock bag or piping bag with an attachment to swirl icing in the center of each cupcake, then top with the chopped bacon.