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Love bacon? Love cupcakes? Then youโll LOVE these Maple Bacon Mini Cupcakes! Theyโre the perfect combination of salty and sweet and super easy to make.
If youโre looking for a quick and tasty treat, this mini maple bacon cupcakes recipe is for you!
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
This easy recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, and itโs packed with yummy flavors. Rest assured, youโre going to want to try this moist cupcake at least a couple of times.
Given the maple leafโs shape, maple syrup is often associated with Fall, and since the season has just arrived, these cupcakes are the perfect recipe to add to your to-cook list.
This awesome treat is sure to become a family favorite!
What Are Maple Bacon Cupcakes?
Maple bacon cupcakes are sweet treats with amazing flavors such as maple bacon pieces, maple syrup, and vanilla paste.
Theyโre perfect for a quick and easy meal for breakfast or brunchtime that combines all the typical breakfast food ingredients and can be served with coffee or tea.
What Do Maple Bacon Cupcakes Taste Like?
These mini muffins contain a strong flavor combination of maple, bacon and frosting, allowing for a deliciously sweet and tender taste that is similar to the recipe of your favorite pancake.
Are Maple Bacon Cupcakes Healthy?
Yes, maple bacon cupcakes are healthy because bacon contains essential micronutrients like potassium which protect bone and heart health. It also promotes muscle strength and prevents very high blood pressure.
It is also healthy because real maple syrup contains antioxidants that reduce bodily damage due to the increased presence of oxygen. It also supports the brain and prevents neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimerโs.
However, itโs important to note that they can also be harmful if eaten in large quantities since bacon has been included in the World Health Organizationโs Group 1 carcinogen (known for causing cancer), and the increased sugar in maple syrup can increase the risk of diabetes and tooth decay.
What Are The Benefits Of Maple Bacon?
Maple bacon has a relatively low amount of carbs, but it should be known that it contains sodium nitrite and high fructose corn syrup. As such, it should be avoided if youโre on a keto diet.
Maple bacon forms a part of Dirty Keto, which means it may help you lose weight, but it can also cause health issues in the long run.
Because maple syrup contains inflammation-reducing polyphenol antioxidants, it can help protect you from diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Maple syrup also reduces oxidative stress, which causes aging and decreases the strength of our immune system.
Real maple syrup contains high amounts of zinc and manganese, which improve immunity and increases fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
Similarly, bacon provides several beneficial nutrients such as B vitamins, such as vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12, breaking down carbohydrates and promoting better brain health.
It is also high in phosphorus, which is needed to maintain and repair cells and tissues
Bacon can also boost energy, as it is a good source of fat. Most of the fat content in bacon is monounsaturated, which includes heart-healthy oleic acid.
Maple Bacon Cupcakes Ingredients
- Bacon Package – Slices of salty bacon are a core ingredient packed with a sultry, delicious taste, so adding it to the cupcakes will give you both a sweet and salty treat.
- Flour – Adding flour to your recipe guarantees a strong addition of important nutrients, such as fibers and vitamins.
- Baking Powder – Baking powder improves kidney function and activates anti-inflammatory properties, so adding it to your recipe is a healthy choice.
- Unsalted Butter – Adding butter with a low salt content to your recipe will make your cupcakes delicious and healthy.
- Maple Syrup – The enthralling taste of pure maple syrup means that your cupcakes will be infused with a rich, sugary flavor that you wonโt get enough of.
- Eggs – Adding an egg to your cupcakes is a great way of infusing them with protein.
- Heavy Cream or Milk – Whisking all of your dry ingredients with heavy cream can provide a smooth mix.
- Vanilla Extract – Adding vanilla extract to your cupcakes will give them a strong, caramelly taste with a floral hint similar to jasmine.
- Powdered Sugar – This sweet topping is the perfect way to finish off your already-sweet cake batter.
- Vanilla Paste – This has a slightly stronger taste than vanilla extract, so adding it to your recipe will ensure your maple cupcakes taste divine.
Tools Needed To Prepare Mini Bacon Maple Cupcakes
- Whisk for mixing dough
- Spatula for beating room temperature butter
- Baking Sheet for heating cupcakes
- Kitchen Rolls for laying out bacon strips on paper towels
- Parchment Paper for laying out bacon strips
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions
Heavy Cream
You can use whole or skim milk instead of heavy cream for your cupcake batter. If youโd like to cut down your recipeโs calorie and fat content, milk is a better option.
Powdered Sugar
You can use granulated sugar if you donโt have powdered sugar at home. The fine crystals in granulated sugar donโt cake together, which makes it perfect for sprinkling onto your cupcakes.
Vanilla Extract and Paste
You can use honey or almond extract in your flour mixture if you donโt like the taste of vanilla and prefer a more subtle taste added to the already rich maple flavoring.
Both options can give the sweet aroma you seek in your cupcakes and replace vanilla extract and paste.
Easy Maple Bacon Cupcake Recipe
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 2 strips bacon
- ยฝ cup plus 2 tbsp flour
- ยผ tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp. tbsp unsalted butter
- ยฝ cup maple syrup
- 1 egg
- ยผ cup heavy cream (can be replaced with milk)
- ยผ tsp vanilla extract
Cream Ingredients
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp heavy cream
- ยฝ tsp vanilla paste
Candied Bacon Ingredients
- 2 strips of bacon
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
STEP 1: In a large bowl, stir the soft butter and egg at room temperature. Carefully add the maple syrup and mix.
STEP 2: Now, whisk with the vanilla and cream.
STEP 3: Finely mix the flour and baking powder together.
STEP 4: Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl containing the wet ingredients. Mix well.
STEP 5: Prepare the bacon in advance and freeze it for 20 minutes, so it becomes hard. Cut the bacon into small pieces and fry. Remove the fat by putting the bacon on a napkin or oil-absorbing cloth. Next, add the cooled bacon to the batter.
STEP 6: Mix in the bacon with the batter.
STEP 7: Preheat the oven to 350ยบF.
STEP 8: Grease the mini cupcake molds with oil, and add the cupcake batter to the molds till itโs three-fourths full (about 1-2 tablespoons of dough). Send to the oven for 15-18 minutes.
STEP 9: It’s time to prepare the cream. Beat room temperature butter until light and fluffy (about 1 minute). Add powdered sugar, and continue beating. Then add cream, maple syrup, and vanilla.
STEP 10: Beat for another 30 seconds.
STEP 11: Preheat the oven to 390ยบF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay out the bacon strips. Pour in about half of the maple syrup and rub it into the bacon.
Then repeat the same with the rest. Place the bacon in the oven and roast it in the oven for 10-15 minutes until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel to remove grease. Then cut it into small rectangles for decoration.
STEP 12: Frost each mini cupcake with the rcream, and garnish with a cooled strip of candied bacon.
What to Serve With Maple Bacon Cupcakes
- If youโre looking for a buttery glazing to compliment your bacon, try using apples. During Christmas, the Danish like to serve a dish called รbleflรฆsk. This is made of cured, salty pork or bacon glazed with a butter-fried mixture of apples, onions, and thyme.
- If you are looking for a sweet addition to your bacon, you can pair these mini maple bacon cupcakes with bananas. Popularized by the Elvis Presley Sandwich, which consists of peanut butter, sliced bananas, and crispy bacon, the combination of bacon and banana is one that you will want to try.
- If you want to alter the taste of your bacon, apply a glaze created with fresh orange juice and honey, also known as citrus glazed bacon.
- Drink ideas? Try these Vietnamese Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee or Blackberry Basil Manischewitz Mojitos recipe.
Tips About Making The Maple Bacon Cupcake Recipe
- Give Time to Frosting – You can prepare the frosting cream before you start to bake the cupcakes in your preheated oven. Before decorating your cupcakes, ensure the frosting has been refrigerated for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve Bacon Straight Away – Your slices of golden brown bacon will taste better if served within a few hours of cooking it.
How To Store Maple Bacon Cupcakes
The cupcakes can be kept in a tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They must be stored in the refrigerator because they contain cream cheese and bacon.
One tip is to wait for them to reach room temperature before eating them so that the frosting is soft and creamy again.
FAQ About Maple Bacon Cupcakes
Can you make cupcakes in an air fryer?
Yes. You can use paper cupcake liners in an air fryer, but try to use silicone ones to hold their shape without the help of a baking tray. If youโre using paper liners, your cupcakes will spread out wide rather than tall unless you use a muffin tin.
Can you freeze cupcake batter?
Yes. Pour your cupcake batter into your cupcake liners as you normally would, and then place your cupcake pan into the freezer to freeze until it turns solid. This is also known as flash freezing. After that, place your cupcake liners into a freezer-safe Ziploc bag until youโre ready to use them.
Are Hostess cupcakes vegan?
No. Recently, Hostess Brands, Inc. issued an allergen warning informing people that various products, including Hostess Chocolate Cupcakes and SnoBalls now contain whole eggs. If youโre looking for a vegan cupcake mix, try Miss Jones Baking Organic Cake and Cupcake Mix.
Are Hostess cupcakes nut free?
No. As of February 3, 2020, Hostess Brands, LLC announced that all Hostessยฎ Suzy Qโsยฎ items, in all pack sizes and configurations, now contain peanut flour.
Maple Bacon Mini Cupcakes
Love bacon? Love cupcakes? Then you'll LOVE these Maple Bacon Mini Cupcakes! They're the perfect combination of salty and sweet, and they're super easy to make.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 2 strips bacon
- ยฝ cup plus 2 tbsp flour
- ยผ tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp. tbsp unsalted butter
- ยฝ cup maple syrup
- 1 egg
- ยผ cup heavy cream (can be replaced with milk)
- ยผ tsp vanilla extract
Cream Ingredients
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp heavy cream
- ยฝ tsp vanilla paste
Candied Bacon Ingredients
- 2 strips of bacon
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir the soft butter and egg at room temperature. Carefully add the maple syrup and mix.
- Now, whisk with the vanilla and cream.
- Finely mix the flour and baking powder together.
- Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl containing the wet ingredients. Mix well.
- Prepare the bacon in advance and freeze it for 20 minutes, so it becomes hard. Cut the bacon into small pieces and fry. Remove the fat by putting the bacon on a napkin or oil-absorbing cloth. Next, add the cooled bacon to the batter.
- Mix in the bacon with the batter.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Grease the mini cupcake molds with oil, and add the cupcake batter to the molds till it’s three-fourths full (about 1-2 tablespoons of dough). Send to the oven for 15-18 minutes.
- It's time to prepare the cream. Beat room temperature butter until light and fluffy (about 1 minute). Add powdered sugar, and continue beating. Then add cream, maple syrup, and vanilla.
- Beat for another 30 seconds.
- Preheat the oven to 390ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay out the bacon strips. Pour in about half of the maple syrup and rub it into the bacon. Then repeat the same with the rest. Place the bacon in the oven and roast it in the oven for 10-15 minutes until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel to remove grease. Then cut it into small rectangles for decoration.
- Frost each mini cupcake with the rcream, and garnish with a cooled strip of candied bacon.
Notes
* This recipe was originally published on 11/2011 by Jaclyn. Notes and photos were updated on 09/2022.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 96Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 43mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 0gSugar: 11gProtein: 1g
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.
Conclusion
This mini maple bacon cupcakes recipe is the perfect treat to enjoy as the weather begins to cool down. It is a simple yet deliciously satisfying meal for both breakfast and brunch.
These easy maple bacon mini cupcakes are the perfect bite-sized treat for any occasion! Made with just a few simple ingredients, theyโre light, fluffy, and oh-so-delicious. Plus, they can be made ahead of time!
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