Pancake Cupcakes with Maple Bacon Buttercream Frosting

I know what you're thinking - maple and bacon in a cupcake? The first time I had a maple bacon cupcake was on my birthday this year. My parents surprised me with a birthday dinner and they also picked up some delicious cupcakes from a new local bakery. They had all kinds of flavors, but the maple bacon really intrigued me. And let me tell you, it was SO good. This one had bacon in the cupcake and a maple frosting. So weirdly delicious.

Ever since I tried that cupcake I have been waiting for the perfect time to try and make a version of them. Last weekend my Uncle and his fiance Jill (hiiiii!) came into town from the east coast - it had been FOREVER since I'd seen my uncle and it was great to see them both and catch up. One of the evenings they were in town, we had a big family dinner and I thought - let's make cupcakes for dessert! Everyone loves cupcakes. That and my sisters boyfriend Jeff was coming as well, and I know he's been waiting for something maple-y and bacon-y. It was decided - I was going to search for the perfect maple bacon cupcake recipe.

Let me tell you, this was not an easy feat. There were a lot of websites that talked about maple bacon cupcakes, but not so many that actually had recipes. Darn! After hours of searching, I finally found one. And of all places, on my favorite blog, Brown Eyed Baker. If you have not checked this one out - do. She is awesome and has so many great recipes. Seriously, go check it out! Her recpie for pancake cupcakes with maple bacon icing sounded perfect. I like pancakes. I like bacon. I like maple. But all together? PERFECT!

The cupcakes turned out perfect although they stuck to the liners a bit (I clearly did not follow the recipe to spray non-stick spray on the liners!). It wasn't too much stickage, just a bit. That and I thought the frosting wasn't as maple-y as I thought so I added more maple syrup and then realized I probably shouldn't have done that. As much as the flavor was good, there was a slight issue with syrup oozing out after the cupcakes sat out for awhile. Good flavor, just slightly sticky. that and I think it overwhelmed the bacon flavor. Oops.  Don't let my oopises stop you from making these - they were still delicious! Next time I will be following the recipe perfectly!

actual pancake batter is the cupcake!

no kitchen aid mixer needed here!

post baking. not sure why they all have little tongues. at least that's what I think it looks like.

frosting ingredients!

sizzling bacon!

bacon + sprinkles for topping!

maple bacon cupcakes done!

Pancake Cupcakes with Maple-Bacon Buttercream Frosting (browneyedbaker.com)

Yield: 12 cupcakes

For the Cupcakes:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1½ cups whole milk
2 eggs
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

For the Frosting:
8 ounces (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2½ cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 slices of bacon, cooked, cooled and crumbled

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a standard muffin pan with liners and then spray the liners with non-stick spray (important step!) - I clearly didn't read the directions and missed this step. OOPS.

2. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl; set aside. In a separate medium bowl whisk together the milk and eggs, then stir in the melted and cooled butter. Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and whisk together until just moistened and combined. Like pancakes, lumps are okay! Divide the batter between the muffin cups and bake until puffed and firm to the touch, about 10 minutes. Let cool for about 5 minutes and then remove cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. To make the frosting, use the whisk attachment of a stand mixer to whip the butter on  medium-high speed for about 5 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the powdered sugar a little at a time, waiting until it’s mostly incorporated before adding more. Once all of the powdered sugar has been added, scrape the sides of the bowl and increase the speed to medium-high and whip until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the maple syrup and the vanilla and whip for another minute or so to incorporate. Add the bacon and mix to combine. Using an offset spatula, spread the frosting on the cupcakes. Top with additional crumbled bacon if desired.

When I was making these, I totally made an extra piece or two of bacon to nibble on while I was cooking. It's too hard to resist that bacon-y smell. In fact, my sister is making bacon right now. And it smells so good. I might have to go steal a piece. Don't tell her!