Cupcakes and Bacon

I love bacon. I mean really, who doesn't? I love cupcakes. Again, who could resist one? Combine bacon and cupcakes? I might have just died and gone to heaven. What? You think that's a weird combo? Trust me honey, don't knock it till you've tried it.
So, give it a shot.
First, start by cooking up your bacon.

I used Maple bacon, approximately 6 strips. Reserve the drippings, and put in the fridge to solidify. Mince the bacon, and set aside for later. Yes, its ok to taste test a few pieces.

Gather up your ingredients:
4 1/2 Tbs butter, room temperature
1/2 Tbs bacon drippings (left in fridge to become solid)
1 Egg
5 Tbs brown sugar
4 Tbs Maple Syrup
1 1/4 Cup Self Rising Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
Pinch of Kosher Salt
1/4 Cup milk
1/4 Cup minced bacon (plus more for topping)

Start by beating your butter and bacon fat, until light and creamy.

Add brown sugar and maple syrup. Combine. Add egg, combine.
Sift flour, baking soda, and baking powder together. Alternate a little flour mixture and a little milk, until combined.

Add in your bacon. Taste test. Add more milk, syrup or flour as needed. Me personally, I added a few more splashes of maple syrup. That stuff is sweet so it sure didn't take much.

Scoop into your muffin pan. Bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. You may need to rotate the pan at about 15 minutes or so to ensure even baking. Me personally, mine were done at 15 minutes.
Whip up a batch of Maple Frosting (Recipe below...sadly I didn't photograph this part).

Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes and top with remaining crumbled bacon.

Enjoy the amazing-ness. Say it with me now....mmmm.... baaaaccccooonnnnn.

Maple Bacon Cupcakes
Ingredients:
4 1/2 Tbs butter, room temperature
1/2 Tbs bacon drippings (left in fridge to become solid)
1 Egg
5 Tbs brown sugar
4 Tbs Maple Syrup
1 1/4 Cup Self Rising Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
Pinch of Kosher Salt
1/4 Cup milk
1/4 Cup minced bacon (plus more for topping)

Directions:
1. I used Maple bacon, approximately 6 strips. Reserve the drippings, and put in the fridge to solidify. Mince the bacon, and set aside for later. Yes, its ok to taste test a few pieces.
2. Start by beating your butter and bacon fat, until light and creamy.
3. Add brown sugar and maple syrup. Combine.
4. Add egg, combine.
5. Sift flour, baking soda, and baking powder together.
6. Alternate a little flour mixture and a little milk, until combined.
7. Add in your bacon. Taste test. Add more milk, syrup or flour as needed. Me personally, I added a few more splashes of maple syrup. That stuff is sweet so it sure didn't take much.
8. Scoop into your muffin pan. Bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. You may need to rotate the pan at about 15 minutes or so to ensure even baking. Me personally, mine were done at 15 minutes.

Maple Frosting:
4 Tbs Butter
2 Tbs Maple Syrup
1 Cup Powdered Sugar

1. Beat butter and syrup until combined.
2. Add sugar, a little at a time, until combined.
3. Pipe onto cupcakes.
4. Top with bacon!