Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a show-stopping dessert that defies all culinary expectations! Imagine a moist, tender buttermilk cake that perfectly balances the richness of butter, the sweetness of maple, and the irresistible crunch of crispy bacon. This isn't just a cake – it's a culinary adventure that will transform your ordinary birthday celebration into an extraordinary gastronomic experience that will have your guests talking for months to come!
Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 10 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract thoroughly.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
- Gradually alternate adding the dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain cake's tender texture.
- Gently fold in half of the crumbled bacon into the cake batter, reserving the remaining bacon for the glaze and garnish.
- Pour batter into prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for even baking.
- Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While cake is baking, prepare maple bacon glaze by combining maple syrup and remaining crumbled bacon in a small saucepan. Warm gently over low heat.
- Remove cake from oven and let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- While cake is still warm, drizzle maple bacon glaze over the top, allowing it to seep into the cake's surface.
- Let cake cool completely before serving. Garnish with additional crumbled bacon if desired.
Tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients, especially butter, eggs, and buttermilk, are at room temperature for the smoothest, most even cake batter.
- Don't Overmix: Mix the batter just until ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense cake.
- Bacon Preparation: Use high-quality bacon and cook it until crisp for the best texture and flavor in your glaze and garnish.
- Pan Preparation: Thoroughly grease and flour your cake pan, or use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Glaze Timing: Apply the maple bacon glaze while the cake is still warm to allow maximum flavor absorption.
- Storage Tip: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.Pro Chef Secret: For an extra indulgent touch, slightly warm the cake before serving to reinvigorate the maple bacon glaze and release its full aromatic potential!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 110mg
