Apple Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Written By Amanda Duncan
A plate of cupcakes with gold wrappers, cream cheese frosting, and candy bacon.

Ingredients

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

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

  • 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)

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

  • 2-3tsp. maple extract (to taste)

  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Bacon Garnish:

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

  • Brown sugar

Directions

Cupcakes

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  

  2. Sift the flour, baking 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 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  9. Allow to cool completely before frosting and garnishing. 

Frosting

  1. Cream the butter, extracts and 1 1/2 c. powedered sugar until smooth.  

  2. Cut the block of cream cheese into chunks.  Add one chunk at a time to the mixer until smooth.

  3. Taste the frosting and add sugar if needed.

  4. Beat at medium-high speed until about doubled in size.

  5. Frost cupcakes using a piping bag.

Bacon Garnish

  1. Place bacon on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. 

  2. Sprinkle each slice with brown sugar.  

  3. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 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.

  6. Sprinkle on top of frosting.

Store in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Makes 24 cupcakes.

Amanda Duncan