Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon double-acting baking powder 
• 0.3 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 cup butter 
• 1 cup butter softened
• 12  bacon cooked
• 1 tablespoon plus light
• 16 oz brown sugar dark
• 4 large eggs 
• 0.5 cup evaporated milk 
• 2 teaspoons peppermint flavoring 
• 1 cup milk 
• 1 cups paper baking 
• 4 cups powdered sugar 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1.5 cups sugar 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 3 cups soft-wheat flour all-purpose

Equipment

• bowl
• sauce pan
• oven
• hand mixer

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.
2. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
4. Place paper baking cups in 2 (12-cup) muffin pans, and coat with cooking spray; spoon batter into cups, filling two-thirds full.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely.
6. To prepare frosting, melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.
7. Add brown sugar; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Stir in evaporated milk, baking soda, and light corn syrup; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
8. Remove from heat, and let cool.
9. Transfer caramel mixture to a large bowl. Gradually add powdered sugar to caramel mixture; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Stir in maple flavoring. Beat at high speed 2 minutes or until creamy. Icing firms up quickly, so use immediately. Makes 3 cups.
10. Frost each cupcake with Maple Frosting using metal tip no. 2D. Top each with bacon.