Candied Bacon-Sweet Potato Cupcakes

A bourbon-bacon cream cheese frosting is the literal icing on these sweet potato cupcakes. This cupcake recipe will become an instant party favorite!

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine 3 tablespoons sugar and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon; set aside. Line 2 shallow baking pans with foil. Cut 6 of the slices of bacon crosswise into fourths. Place all the bacon on prepared baking pans; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the cinnamon-sugar (reserve remaining cinnamon-sugar). Bake 12 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Drain on paper towels. Set aside the quarter pieces of bacon; crumble remaining bacon slices.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine 3 tablespoons sugar and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon; set aside. Line 2 shallow baking pans with foil. Cut 6 of the slices of bacon crosswise into fourths. Place all the bacon on prepared baking pans; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the cinnamon-sugar (reserve remaining cinnamon-sugar). Bake 12 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Drain on paper towels. Set aside the quarter pieces of bacon; crumble remaining bacon slices.

  • Decrease oven to 350°F. Line twenty-four 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups. Stir together flour, baking powder, the 1 teaspoon cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.

Decrease oven to 350°F. Line twenty-four 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups. Stir together flour, baking powder, the 1 teaspoon cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.

  • In a large bowl beat butter with a mixer on medium for 30 seconds. Gradually add the 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium until combined. Scrape bowl; beat 2 minutes more. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in sweet potatoes and vanilla. Add flour mixture and crumbled bacon; beat until combined (batter will be thick).

In a large bowl beat butter with a mixer on medium for 30 seconds. Gradually add the 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium until combined. Scrape bowl; beat 2 minutes more. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in sweet potatoes and vanilla. Add flour mixture and crumbled bacon; beat until combined (batter will be thick).

  • Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pan for 1 minute. Remove cupcakes from pans; cool on wire racks.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pan for 1 minute. Remove cupcakes from pans; cool on wire racks.

  • Pipe or spread Bourbon-Cream Cheese Frosting on cupcakes. Sprinkle cupcakes with reserved cinnamon-sugar and top with quarter pieces of bacon.

Pipe or spread Bourbon-Cream Cheese Frosting on cupcakes. Sprinkle cupcakes with reserved cinnamon-sugar and top with quarter pieces of bacon.

Bourbon-Cream Cheese Frosting

  • In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in bourbon. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Add milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach desired consistency.KARLA CONRAD

In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in bourbon. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Add milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach desired consistency.

Make-ahead directions

Place unfrosted cupcakes in a single layer in an airtight container; seal. Store at room temperature up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month. Thaw cupcakes at room temperature before frosting.