Dark Chocolate Bacon Cupcakes

By carvalhohm2

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon baking cocoa, divided
• 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 pound bacon strips, cooked and crumbled, divided
• 1 can (16 ounces) chocolate frosting

Preparation

Step 1

In a large bowl, beat the sugar, buttermilk, eggs, oil and coffee until well blended. In a small bowl, combine the flour, 3/4 cup cocoa, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended. Stir in two-thirds of the bacon.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 375° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Frost cupcakes. Sprinkle with remaining bacon; dust with remaining cocoa. Refrigerate leftovers.

Yield: 22 cupcakes.

1 cupcake equals 354 calories, 18 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 37 mg cholesterol, 535 mg sodium, 41 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 8 g protein.