Maple French Toast and Bacon Cupcakes

This recipe won Food Network magazines first 'secret-ingredient recipe contest'. The secret ingredient was Maple Syrup. Kara Sow created this delicious winner!

• Ready In: 1 hr 40 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

• CUPCAKES

• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1  cup cake flour
• 1 (4ounce) box vanilla instant pudding mix
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  tablespoon potato starch
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3⁄4 cup  packed light brown sugar
• 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4  large  egg whites, room temperature
• 1⁄4 cup maple syrup
• 1⁄2 cup half-and-half, at room temperature
• 1⁄2 cup bacon, chopped and cooked

• FROSTING

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2  tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2  cups  sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄4 cup maple syrup
• 2  teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3  slices bacon, cooked and chopped (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Place paper liners in a 12-cup muffin tin.
3. Prepare the cupcakes:
4. Combine the flours, pudding mix, baking powder, potato starch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a bowl with a whisk.
5. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugars with a mixer on low speed until combined, 6 to 8 minutes. Gradually mix in the vanilla and egg whites. Scrape down the sides of the bowl; continue mixing until light and fluffy.Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the maple syrup and half-and-half. mixing after each addition and ending with flour.Mix until the ingredients are just combined; do not overmix. Fold in the bacon.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about three-quarters of the way. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes.
7. Cool completely.
8. Meanwhile, prepare the frosting:.
9. Beat the cream cheese and butter with a mixer on medium speed until creamy. Add the confectioners sugar, maple syrup and cinnamon; beat until combined. Spread on the cooled cupcakes; top with chopped bacon, if desired.