This Delicious Maple Bourbon Cupcake Recipe Will WOW!

BySarah Nenni-Daher Updated:

This maple bourbon cupcake recipe is a MUST have in your dessert recipe box. This is an easy cupcake recipe to make and the flavor will have you craving “just one more.”

This boozy cupcake dessert idea features sweet maple frosting topped with chunks of bacon and pecans. You can leave off the nuts or choose to just add the tiniest little dusting. Either way, I recommend trying this one – it’s a crowd-pleasing grown up cupcake for any occasion.

Close up horizontal image of maple bourbon bacon and pecan cupcakes topped with whiskey sauce, crushed pecans, and chopped bacon pieces styled on a small wood cutting board on a white background.
These deep, rich maple whiskey bacon and pecan cupcakes are going to be such a savory treat!

RELATED READING: These Delicious Cognac Cupcakes Make for a Good Time!

Maple Bourbon Cupcake Recipe

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I have shared hundreds of cupcake recipes because I honestly believe they are one of the universally best desserts for all ages and occasions. In our house, my family will test any flavor I hand them.

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They’re the best, sure, but this post isn’t about my family, it’s about this amazing cupcake. The whiskey adds just the right amount of depth to this recipe. This is an adult cupcake recipe that has a delicious sweet and savory combination.

If you are hesitant about using the bourbon, I have a yummy maple bacon cupcake recipe here that is easy to prepare).

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Need to gather up some ingredients? Save this to your favorite dessert pin board or to your timeline on Facebook. Either way will make this easy to find when you’re ready to start.

Vertical image of a close up of a whiskey maple bacon cupcake recipe topped with chopped pecans, bacon, and a whiskey caramel drizzle sauce.
This maple bacon cupcake recipe is an adult cupcake that is going to wow everyone.

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Tips for Making These Maple Whiskey Bourbon Cupcakes

  • Start with a prepared cake mix as I did or whip up any cupcake recipe that has substance like my "Lazy Girl's Easy Vanilla Cupcake Recipe." Do not use something like Angel Food Cake mix, for instance.
  • Try not to over mix the cupcake batter. Working the flour too much could result in too much air added or extra gluten and that does not make a good texture.
  • The trifecta of maple, bourbon, and and bacon are staples and combining them makes a lot of sense, even in desserts. This is a classic flavor combination that will appease all ages.
  • If you're timid about the bourbon, don't worry, you're not taking a shot of the stuff. That said, I won't judge you if you do. I mean, you're making cupcakes for everyone, you can have it.
  • Change up the cake mix to change up the flavor of the cake. I like vanilla cake mix, but this would totally be good with a chocolate cake mix, too.

RELATED READING: DELECTABLE TIRAMISU CUPCAKE RECIPE

Close up square image of three maple bacon cupcakes on a small wood cutting board in front of a whisk.
Make the mini cakes ahead of time for these whiskey and bacon cupcakes to save on prep time.

How to Make Maple Whiskey Cupcakes with Bacon and Pecans

Below is the written and printable cupcake recipe. If you cannot find the particular brand of whiskey I used, try to find a substitute.

Yield: 24 cupcakes

Maple Bourbon Cupcake Recipe

Close up square image of three maple bacon cupcakes on a small wood cutting board in front of a whisk.

This savory maple bourbon cupcake recipe is a crowd-pleaser. Nuts and bacon are optional, but highly recommended. You can start with a cake mix or whip up your own favorite batch.

Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

Cupcake Ingredients

Whiskey Caramel Sauce Ingredients

Vanilla Frosting Ingredients

  • 3 cups of softened unsalted sweet cream butter
  • 6 cups of powdered sugar
  • 5-7 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • 3 cups of cooked bacon, half chopped up
  • Optional, 1 cup of chopped pecans

Instructions

Make the Cupcake Recipe

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and add cupcake liners to the pan.
  2. Mix the cake mix, butter, whiskey, milk, and caramel extract in a bowl and combine.
  3. Fill the cupcake liners until they're 3/4 of the way full.
  4. Bake for 21 minutes or so (check at 19)., remove, and let cool completely.

How to Make Whiskey Caramel Sauce

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a small pot and stir until the sugar is melted.
  2. Transfer the sauce in the squeeze bottle.Horizontal image of six maple bourbon cupcakes with a whiskey caramel sauce on a light wood cutting board in front of a whisk on a white kitchen counter.

How to Make the Frosting

  1. Mix the butter, powdered sugar, whipping cream, and vanilla with a mixer. Scoop the mixture into a piping bag.
  2. Pipe the frosting onto cooled cupcakes and sprinkle on pecans and chopped bacon to taste.
  3. Drizzle the whiskey sauce on top of the cupcakes. Optional: put an un-chopped piece of cooked bacon in the middle of the frosting.

Notes

Tools Needed:

  1. Squeeze bottle. If you do not have one, transfer the whisky drizzle to a small zip top plastic bag and cut off a small corner.
  2. Star tip. You can use a round, however, the star tip's ridges will help catch and hold the pecans and bacon better.
  3. Piping bag. If you do not have one, place the star tip into the corner of a large zip top plastic bag, transfer the frosting in, snip off the corner of the plastic, and use that to frost the cupcakes.
  4. Small sauce pan, cupcake tin, and oven.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 634Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 126mgSodium: 590mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 1gSugar: 48gProtein: 6g

All nutrition information is estimated. For accuracy, please calculate your exact brands and ingredients if accuracy is desired.

Did you make this yummy recipe?

Please leave a comment or share a photo and tag me @rufflesandrain

© Sarah Nenni-Daher
Cuisine: Desserts / Category: Cupcake Recipes and Ideas

How to Store These Maple Bacon Cupcakes

If you're lucky enough to have leftovers, I store them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. Buttercream frosting is fine on the counter, but the bacon should be kept cool.

Additionally, you can create the cupcake up to the chopped pecans and store them on the counter. When ready to serve, remove the cooked bacon from the fridge and add them to the frosting.

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Stacked vertical image of delicious and savory cupcakes on a wood cutting board with text which reads maple bourbon cupcakes with bacon and pecans.
These maple whiskey bacon cupcakes have such rich flavor and a fun crunch.

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One Comment

  1. If you have leftovers….and that won’t happen often because EVERYTHING is better with bacon (and bourbon)….I’ve found that the bacon is better if left out on the counter uncovered (only for a day or two) so that it stays crisp. Once it’s put in the refrigerator it has a tendency to get soft…and bacon is best crispy in my world. The trick is NOT to cover it in any way to keep it crisp.

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