Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the ultimate sweet and savory indulgence that will make your dessert lovers swoon! These Maple Bacon Bourbon Cupcakes are not just a dessert - they're an experience that combines the rich, smoky allure of bacon, the warmth of bourbon, and the sweet charm of maple in one irresistible bite. Imagine biting into a decadent chocolate cupcake that perfectly balances unexpected flavors, creating a culinary masterpiece that will have your guests begging for the recipe.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine and set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Gradually mix in the maple syrup and bourbon, blending until fully incorporated.
- Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in 3/4 of the crumbled bacon, reserving the remaining bacon for garnish.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, frost with maple bourbon buttercream and sprinkle the remaining bacon crumbles on top.
Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth, well-incorporated batter.
- Don't overmix the batter - this can lead to dense, tough cupcakes. Mix just until ingredients are combined.
- For extra crispy bacon, bake it in the oven on a wire rack before crumbling to achieve maximum crunchiness.
- Chill your bourbon and maple syrup beforehand to help maintain the batter's temperature.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
- Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
- For a more intense bourbon flavor, you can brush the cooled cupcakes with a little extra bourbon before frosting.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and bring to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 95mg
