This is my first post using my new primary domain, cookingwithauntjuju.com. I bought a colorful theme which is bright and cheerful and a few months ago I also invested in a fancy Nikon camera. I needed a change after almost 2 years and 600 posts later.
Originally, the site was for personal use to get all my recipes online but it then became a fun project to make new dishes as well, taking pictures, adding more than just recipes and communicating with other people who enjoy doing the same thing.
I changed my name in memory of a special nephew, Denny who we lost very tragically earlier this year. He was only 33 and one of my best critics who was always willing and eager to try all the different recipes I made or eat some of his old favorites. He was the first “nephew” in my family and when he was very little he could not say Aunt Judi, instead he called me Aunt JuJu – how sweet – I can still hear his young voice 🙂 The kids still call me Aunt JuJu today.
The other special man in my life was Gene, my husband and best friend, who I spent 34 wonderful years with. He was very passionate about food and always encouraged me to try something new and he would be the official taster. I lost him way too soon as well. Cooking has always been a big part of my life which I shared with these guys who appreciated me so much and I know they would want me to continue making people, as well as myself, happy through my cooking.
This recipe they would both enjoy, especially Gene – chocolate and bacon, oh yeah! Denny was not big on sweets, but having bacon in cupcakes I know he would laugh and say ‘what a great idea Aunt Juju’. These were made for Dean’s birthday, a younger brother of Denny’s. For a long time I made special birthday cakes for family members and now I have leaned more toward making cupcakes. Here is this fabulous recipe with the maple syrup frosting and comes from loveandlaundry.com.
Chocolate Bacon Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream Frosting
Cupcakes (makes 36):
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup hot water
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 3 cups flour
- 1-1/2 cups butter, room temperature
- 2-1/4 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tbsp. vanilla
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled (set aside 1/2 cup for topping) I used Oscar Mayer or you could use a good apple-smoked bacon like Nueskes
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line the muffin pan with liners. I like to use plain ones and then when the cupcakes are done and cooled I will place them in a pretty liner. They also make liners that stay nice after baking but there was only one pattern available at my local baking store.
Mix the hot water and the cocoa powder together with a fork and set aside. Meanwhile, mix or sift the dry ingredients together. In a mixer, combine the butter and sugar and mix until it is light and fluffy. The author suggests going a full five minutes. This is when my Kitchen Gadgets – Stand Mixer comes in handy.
Add the eggs one at a time; then add the cocoa/water mixture and vanilla and mix well. Next, add some of the flour, and mix. Then add some of the sour cream and mix until just combined and you have incorporated all of the flour mixture and sour cream. Finally, add the bacon crumbles, except for the 1/2 cup to save for the topping.
Fill the cupcakes 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until they are done. Let them cool completely and make the frosting.
Frosting (double the recipe if you are going to pipe the frosting):
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 tsp. maple flavoring
- 1 lb. confectioners’ sugar
- 1/3 cup Michigan maple syrup
- 2 tbsp. milk
In your stand mixer, combine the butter for about 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Next add the maple syrup, vanilla, and maple flavoring. It does take a few minutes to incorporate into the butter. Slowly add the confectioners’ sugar and mix real well. Once it has a fluffy consistency add the milk and combine.
These cupcakes were a hit mainly due to the maple syrup frosting – yum. Anything is good when it has maple syrup in it.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
First of all, my sincere and heartfelt condolences on losing two wonderful and dear men in your life. It must have been heartbreaking. I hate to imagine that the lovely young man I see smiling is no more and your dear husband too. What a terrible loss. I hope you are coping. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Secondly congratulations on obtaining a new primary domain and buying a new theme and a fancy Nikon Camera (I am hopeless with Camera’s I just point and shoot). The new theme looks wonderful and colourful indeed. The muffins look delicious. I have never tried bacon muffins, so I would love to try this recipe too.
Thank you so much for sharing. I look forward to trying these muffins (I’ve bookmarked). I wish you a wonderful and peaceful week, ahead. Best Wishes.
Thanks so much for your kind words – for me cooking takes away some of the stress in life. The muffins were delicious and I will post another cupcake recipe with bacon soon – all chocolate! You have a beautiful site – I enjoy your pictures and all of the detail and history with each recipe 🙂 Thanks again…
You’re welcome and thank you for the kind words. I look forward to your next cupcake recipe with bacon and chocolate. I love both. Wish you all the best!
I just posted the other bacon cupcake I made recently – I think the majority preferred the contrast with the chocolate and maple syrup buttercream versus all chocolate.
I love the name of your new site, especially with the meaning behind it. Goodness, you’re a strong lady to cope with such tragic loss. You’re an inspiration to many including me.
Congrats on the new site! I love it! Love the colors! This chocolate BACON cupcake looks out of this world! Can’t wait to see what’s coming in the future!!
I do appreciate your uplifting words and it is comforting to know that other people enjoy cooking and sharing all that they have learned. These cupcakes are nothing compared to the many, many delicious desserts you post and some day I hope to make. Your blog is an inspiration!
I am glad you like the new site – I need to work on printing recipes, what I put in the sidebars, taking pictures and so on. I miss my ‘computer geek’ …
Thanks a bunch 🙂
wow – what an interesting combo! That buttercream – yum 🙂
The maple syrup buttercream is very good and a perfect match for the chocolate/bacon cupcakes:)