Apple Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Apple Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Of all the cupcakes I make, these guys are by far the most requested and my personal favorite.  I present to you: Apple Maple Bacon Cupcakes.  I love making these in the fall.  The flavors lend themselves to cool days and football games.  The day I bought the ingredients it was in the low 60s in Pittsburgh and overcast, making it feel more like October than late August, thus the early inspiration.  Tonight it was in the mid 80s and I thought I might die in my unairconditioned kitchen...still happy I made them.

Now, some people say "That sounds freaking amazing" (usually men) while others are weary at the thought of bacon on a cupcake.  I think they taste like a really good breakfast plate...you know, when you get a forkful of pancakes dripping in maple syrup and throw some bacon on it.  Divinity.  Others are all like "Ewwww, bacon? That's wrong."  Really?  If putting bacon on anything is wrong, I don't want to be right.  I quickly disassociate myself with such people.  Losers.

There are several reasons why you will quickly fall in love with these cupcakes:

1. They feature the holy trinity of spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves
2. They make your house smell like heaven (no literally, my husband just shouted "IT SMELLS LIKE HEAVEN IN HERE!")
3. The cake recipe uses applesauce in place of most of the butter, so they are almost healthy (if you completely ignore the frosting and garnish).
4. They are garnished with BACON.  What other reason do you need?

Apple Maple Bacon Cupcakes:

(Makes 24 cupcakes)

• 2 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 c. butter
• 1 c. sugar
• 1/2 brown sugar
• 4 eggs at room temp
• 1 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
• 2 medium apples, skinned and chopped (I use granny smith)
• Maple Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)
• Candied Bacon (recipe follows)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
2. Sift the flour, soda, salt and spice together and set aside.  
3. Cream the sugars and butter until fluffy.  
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating to incorporate fully after each addition.  
5. Reduce speed of mixer to a low stir.  Alternatively add in the applesauce and flour, starting and ending with the flour.  Mix until just combined, being careful not to over beat.  
6. Fold in the chopped apples.  
7. Line 2 tins with cupcake liners and fill each about 3/4 full (about 1/4 c. of batter).  
8. Bake for about 20 minutes.  
9. Allow to cool completely before frosting and garnishing.  Store in in an airtight container and refrigerate.

Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 1/2-3 cups confectioner's sugar
• 1 1/2 sticks of butter, room temp
• 8 oz cream cheese, chilled
• 2tsp. maple extract
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Cream the butter, extracts and 1 1/2 c. sugar until smooth.  
2. Cut the block of cream cheese into 8 chunks.  Add one chunk at a time to the mixer, beating until smooth but careful not to over beat (the cheese will break down and become runny).  
3. Taste the frosting and add sugar if needed.  Use immediately.

Bacon Garnish:

• 6 slices smoked deli bacon, very thickly cut (seriously, don't skimp.  Get the good stuff)
• brown sugar

1. Place bacon on a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil.  
2. Sprinkle each slice with brown sugar.  
3. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes until brown and crispy.  
4. Allow to cool for a minute, then move to a plastic cutting board.  Cool completely
5. Chop into small pieces