To make the roses out of bacon, brush one side of every bacon slice with butter, sprinkle on brown sugar, roll it up and place the bacon bloom side up in a muffin tin. Put in the oven and bake until the bacon is crispy. Drain off excess grease by setting on a paper towel.
To make the cupcakes, prepare according to the box directions for cupcakes and mix in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup.
Pour the batter into a lined muffin tin, about 3/4 full.
Put into the oven and bake for 22-25 minutes. Remove and let the cupcakes cool.
To make the frosting, cream together the butter and 1/3 cup of the powdered sugar at a time. Add in the maple syrup.
Once the cupcakes are cooled, add the frosting and then put the bacon rose right on top.
You can drizzle the tops with melted chocolate as well.
Notes
Add Extract: Vanilla extract, maple extract or bacon extract, make for a more flavorful cupcake.
More Bacon Bits: Crumble cooked bacon strips in small pieces and add to the cupcake batter.
Variation tip: Nuts add a great addition to the cupcakes, add pecans or walnuts.
Alternate ingredient: Try flavored bacon, such as bourbon, maple or brown sugar varieties.
Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg or even ginger can enhance the flavor of these cupcakes.
Dietary consideration tip: Low calorie box cake mix, sugar substitute and dairy substitutes can all be great in this recipe. Even vegan bacon can be used.