Bacon Chocolate Cupcakes

By jodieg

Combine bacon—everyone's favorite breakfast food—with a sweet little cupcake, and what do you get? A taste treat that's simply irresistible - Chocolate bacon cupcakes!

Ingredients

• CUPCAKES:
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks softened unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon maple extract
• 2/3 cup (10 slices) chopped, cooked crispy thick-cut bacon
• FROSTING:
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1 box (16 ounces) confectioners' sugar
• 2 sticks softened unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup milk until smooth
• 1 teaspoon maple extract

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two cupcake pans with 18 paper liners.

Whisk together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Beat 2 sticks softened unsalted butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar in a large bowl; beat in 3 eggs and 1 teaspoon maple extract. Beat in flour mixture, alternating with 3/4 cup milk. Fold in 2/3 cup (10 slices) chopped, cooked crispy thick-cut bacon.

Divide batter among liners and bake at 350 degrees for 21 to 22 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean.

Melt 1 cup milk chocolate chips in microwave and cool slightly. Beat 1 box (16 ounces) confectioners' sugar, 2 sticks softened unsalted butter and 1/4 cup milk until smooth; beat in 1 teaspoon maple extract and chocolate.

Once the cupcakes are cool, spread frosting over cupcakes. Garnish with additional chopped bacon.