Air-fryer Maple Bacon Chocolate Cupcakes

What you’ll need:

1 package al fresco Fully Cooked Chicken Bacon

2 Tablespoons dark maple syrup

3/4 cup all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)

1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs, at room temperature*

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil (or melted coconut oil)

1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk, at room temperature*

3/4 cup dark maple syrup , room temperature

1 cup heavy cream

1-1/4 cups butter

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark maple syrup

4 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

• In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Mixture will be a little thick but you can thin it out to desired consistency by adding a little more maple syrup. Place parchment paper in air fryer and add the maple syrup bacon stripes. Set the air fryer temperature to 370F and cook for 8 minutes. Remove basket and place bacon stripes on the rack. Here you can choose to brush maple brown glaze over the bacon and let cool at room temperature then refrigerate until ready to decorate the cupcakes.
• Preheat oven to 350F and line two dozen cupcake tins with white liners. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. With an electric mixer, cream together the bacon fat, butter and granulated sugar. Mix in the maple syrup and then add the eggs one at a time. Add in the flour in three additions, with cocoa powder alternating with the buttermilk. Scoop batter into the cupcake liners and bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• With a whisk attachment, whip heavy cream to firm peaks then set aside. Cream the butter and maple syrup together then slowly add in the powdered sugar. Add in the whipped cream a dollop at a time. Whisk on high speed until buttercream is smooth and fluffy. Pipe buttercream onto cooled cupcakes and top with pieces of air fried bacon. If desired, drizzle with more bacon maple syrup before serving.