Swift Bacon Maple Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 package of Swift Double Smoked Thick Cut Bacon
• 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients called for on the box)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 C butter (softened)
• 4 C powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 C maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF and line a cookie sheet with non-stick foil. Lay the Swift Bacon onto the foil and then bake for 15 minutes until the Swift Bacon is crispy. Remove from the oven and transfer the Swift Bacon onto paper towels to soak up the grease. Set aside
2. Lower the oven temperature to 350ºF, or whatever temperature the cake mix calls for, and line a muffin tin with paper liners. Prepare the cake batter as instructed on the box, and then mix in the cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup until well combined.
3. Pour the batter into the muffin tin, filling each cup 2/3 of the way full, and bake for the suggested amount of time on the box. They are done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean from the center. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
4. Beat the softened butter in a large mixing bowl until it’s creamy. Then mix in the confectioners’ sugar, salt, maple syrup, and vanilla until well combined. To get the right consistency, add more confectioners’ sugar to make the frosting thicker or a little milk to make it thinner if needed. Now frost the cupcakes.
5. Crumble the Swift Bacon strips into small pieces using your hands and then gently press them onto the frosting to make them stick.
6. Enjoy!