Chocolate Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Buttercream and Candied Bacon

What you need:

For the cupcakes:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the frosting:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 packet Dream Whip
• 1/3 cup Dulce de Leche
• 3 Tbsp. milk
• 2 to 3 cups powdered sugar

For the candied bacon:

• 12 slices bacon
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions:

1. For cupcakes: stir sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a stand mixer or in a large bowl.
2. Then mix in eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla on medium speed [in stand mixer or with a hand mixer] for 2 minutes.
3. Stir in boiling water. Batter will be very thin.
4. Fill the lined cups of a muffin pan 2/3 of the way full.
5. Bake in a preheated 350* oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
6. Let cool on a wire rack.
7. For the candied bacon: Lower oven temperature to 325*. Prepare a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
8. In a bowl, toss bacon with brown sugar. Don't throw the excess sugar away!
9. Arrange bacon in a single layer on the baking sheet and top with any excess sugar from the bowl.
10. Place another sheet of parchment paper on top of the bacon and then set another baking sheet on top.
11. Bake for 20 minutes. Carefully lift up the top baking sheet and check to see if the bacon is crispy. If not, bake another 10 to 15 minutes.
12. Remove from oven and onto a plate to rest where they will finish crisping, so to speak.
13. For the frosting: cream together butter, salt and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add Dream Whip on low.
14. Then beat in dulce de leche, powdered sugar, and milk - I used all 3 cups and all 3 Tbsp. Use to your desired consistency!
15. Pipe on top of the cooled cupcakes.
16. Chop up the candied bacon into little 1 to 2 inch pieces and set on frosting.
17. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Original Fantastical Recipe