How to Make Maple Bacon Cupcakes for Canada Day

Maple cupcakes with maple buttercream, topped with bacon … what could be more Canadian? These maple bacon cupcakes are perfect for any Canada day party you may be going to.  Here in Canada we celebrate our country’s independence from Britain on July 1.  Maple syrup is an iconic symbol of Canada and can be found at EVERY tourist trap there is!  As is the beaver!  Check out my post on that, here.  You must try the real stuff maple syrup, not the brand from the famous Aunt wearing a handkerchief.  The real deal is shockingly expensive, but definitely worth it for flavour and taste.

How to Make Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Ingredients:
– 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (300g)
– 2 tsp baking powder (10mL)
– 1 tsp baking soda (5mL)
– 1/2 tsp salt (2.5mL)
– 3/4 tsp ground ginger (3.75mL)
– 1/2 cups butter (120g)
– 1/2 cups light brown sugar (90g)
– 2 eggs
– 2 tsp vanilla extract (10mL)
– 1 1/4 cups maple syrup (313mL)
– 1/2 cups buttermilk (125mL)

– Maple Buttercream (vanilla buttercream w maple extract instead of vanilla extract) Video here -http://youtu.be/rjqOTM5icOE
– Ateco Tip #827

– Maple Bacon or regular bacon
– Bake cupcakes for 20 minutes at 350F

Procedure:

For the cupcakes:  Mix together the dry ingredients- flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and ground ginger.  Set aside for later.  In the bowl of stand mixer, or large bowl for a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together.  Add the eggs, extract and maple syrup.  Mix until incorporated.  Slowly add the flour mixture, alternating with the buttermilk and mix in the large bowl until fully incorporated.  Bake at 350F for around 20 mins.  Set aside to cool.

For the buttercream:  I used my regular vanilla buttercream mixture, but instead of the vanilla extract, I used maple extract, which I found in the baking aisle in my local grocery store.  You will want to colour half of the buttercream red, and leave half “white”.  If you have white colouring, you can use that for a more true white colour.  Line one side of the piping bag fitted with the piping tip red, and line the other side with the white buttercream.

For the Bacon- prepare the bacon according to package directions.  Place on a piece of paper towel to absorb any excess grease, and allow to cool.

Using the two-toned piping bag, apply the buttercream to the top of the cupcakes and place a piece of cooked bacon on top!

Enjoy!

Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians!!