Chocolate Cupcakes with Maple Frosting & Candied Bacon

Please don't tell me you ate too much Halloween candy and need a break from sweets.

Look at these guys.  You don't want to hurt their feelings...

These chocolate cupcakes are yum on their own.  The perfect amount of richness...but if you want to put it over the top, you must throw together this cheater icing and candied bacon garnish.  You will be loved by all.  Except vegetarians...they might hate you.  But that means more cupcakes for you!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Maple Frosting & Candied Bacon

makes 18 cupcakes

3/4 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 cup flour

1 1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp espresso powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

2 eggs

3/4 cup warm water

3/4 cup buttermilk

3 tbsp canola oil

2 tsp vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all this stuff together, fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full & bake for 20-25 minutes.

Cheater Maple Bacon Frosting

tub of whipped buttercream frosting

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp bacon grease

Mix all of this together and chill for half an hour.  Pipe onto cupcakes.

Candied Bacon Garnish

bacon

brown sugar

Sprinkle brown sugar on bacon.  Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

My advice for these cupcakes is to pack them up and take them somewhere other than your kitchen.  I'm only trying to help you....but save at least one for yourself.  They are worth it.

Happy Friday!