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Ultimate Bourbon Maple Bacon Chocolate Cake

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Let me start by saying sorry, I am not sorry for posting this over the top chocolate, maple and bacon goodness- as this is simply the best combination there is. Did I mention there was bourbon too?

Ultimate Bourbon Maple Bacon Chocolate Cake. A bourbon infused chocolate cake with a brown butter maple glaze. Topped with crunchy bacon bits.

This Ultimate Bourbon Maple Bacon Chocolate Cake combines the sweetness of a maple glaze with the salty bacon topping. The dense chocolate cake is infused with a noticeable amount of bourbon. This is not your average spiked cake. The bourbon flavor is pretty strong in this recipe, but in my opinion, that is what makes it worth it!

Side view of Bourbon Maple Chocolate cake on a white cake stand

I’ve been dreaming of the right way to combine a few of my favorite flavors. Whenever maple and bacon are used in a dessert, it’s always a win. This cake has a thick brown butter maple glaze and there is more than enough to go around!

A slice of Maple Bourbon Chocolate cake on a plate with a fork

The chocolate cake was adapted from my Cabernet Raspberry Chocolate Cake, which originated as a Better Homes and Gardens recipe. I replaced the red wine with bourbon. The cake itself is a bit more dense than your average cake and it’s quite rich. This is because I used a dark chocolate cocoa powder. I prefer the slightly more bitter taste of dark chocolate and I think it compliments the bourbon nicely. I love that the rich cake is offset with the sweet glaze.

Maple Bourbon Chocolate cake on a white cake stand with a slice on a plate

For the bacon, you just need to prepare it ahead of time and allow it to cool. I prefer to cook my bacon in the oven. It is far less messy than cooking it on the stove top. I like to use a thick cut maple bacon, because you know, maple makes everything better. Cut the bacon into small pieces and sprinkle it over the glaze. Then eat the leftover bacon. #justsaying.

Close-up of a Maple Bourbon Chocolate cake on a white cake stand

I know it’s really hard to stay on a diet with a cake like this floating around, but this cake is for a special occasion. Perhaps the Superbowl maybe? I don’t follow football, but I would say that if I had to sit through a football game, this cake would definitely make it better. Don’t you agree?

A slice of Maple Bourbon Chocolate cake on a plate in front of the whole cake on a cake stand

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Ultimate Bourbon Maple Bacon Chocolate Cake

  • Author: Julianne Dell
  • Prep Time: 45 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 11 ½ C Bacon, cooked and chopped
  • C Flour, sifted
  • ¾ C Dark chocolate cocoa powdered, sifted
  • 1 tsp Baking powder
  • ¼ tsp Salt
  • ¾ C Unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ C Vegetable oil
  • 2 C Sugar
  • 5 Large eggs
  • 2 tbsp Vanilla extract
  • ¼ C Light sour cream
  • 1 C Bourbon
  • For the glaze:
  • C Powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ C Unsalted butter (1 stick), browned
  • 2 tbsp Pure maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp Milk

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon according to package instructions. Allow to cool and chop cooked bacon into small pieces.
  2. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a bundt cake pan and coat with cocoa powder instead of flour.
  3. In a medium sized bowl, sift flour and cocoa powder. I usually sift my cocoa powder with a sieve instead of my actual sifter. Add baking powder and salt and set aside.
  4. In a microwave safe bowl, melt butter. Combine melted butter in mixing bowl with oil and sugar. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  5. Add eggs, one at a time, ensure that each egg is well beaten before adding the next one. After all eggs have been added, add the vanilla extract and sour cream.
  6. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the bourbon. First, pour in half of the dry ingredients and beat for 30 seconds before adding half of the bourbon. Repeat with remaining flour mixture and remaining bourbon.
  7. Pour batter in the greased coated bundt cake pan. Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, your cake is done.
  8. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, place the wire rack on top of the bundt pan and flip it over. Gently tapping the sides to release the cake. You may want to put a piece of parchment paper or a plate over the cake before you flip it so you can easily move it off the wire rack without sticking. If the cake does not release, take a butter knife and gently insert along the edge of the pan to help release.
  9. For the glaze:
  10. Sift powered sugar. The step is necessary to create a smooth glaze.
  11. Melt butter in a saucepan. Once melted, continue to stir until butter turns a golden brown.
  12. Pour melted butter over powdered sugar. Add maple syrup and milk. Whisk until smooth.
  13. For a thicker glaze, add only 1 tablespoon of milk instead of two. Or add additional powered sugar. To make glaze thinner, add additional milk.
  14. This next step is optional and a little tricky. I like my glaze to drip off the sides of the cake and not pool up in the middle. However, it becomes difficult to move the cake once glazed. I happen to own a cake lift, but I suggest using two large knife to move the cake after glaze.
  15. Gently remove/side cake from plate and onto wire rack. Place a sheet of wax paper below wire rack (for easy clean up).
  16. Gently pour glaze over cake. Sprinkle with bacon pieces.

 Recipes from my friends:

Maple Bacon Crunch Ice Cream by Crazy for Crust

Chocolate Bacon Poke Cake by Wine and Glue

Bacon Bark by Farmhouse 38

Bacon Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies by Something Swanky

Bacon Beer Potato Chip Cookie Bars by Life Love and Sugar

Other recipes from Beyond Frosting you might like:

Loaded Maple Bacon Donut Fries

Bacon Potato Chip Truffles

Bourbon Bacon S’mores Cookies

Donut Dessert Nachos

Cookie Dough S’mores Dip

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating

13 Responses
    1. Julianne - Beyond Frosting
      Beyond Frosting

      Hi Amy- 350 and 15-18 minutes most likely. This is pretty dense, you might want to add an additional 1/2 tsp baking powder to help them rise.

  1. A Young Wife

    Cake with bourbon and a maple glaze! I cannot wait to try this. I am eating the leftover bacon #alsojustsaying.

  2. Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor

    I would definitely not be sorry about this cake. I probably wouldn’t be able to stop with just one piece. Bourbon, maple bacon and chocolate is the best combination!

  3. Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking

    Bourbon! Maple! Bacon! CHOCOLATE!! I’m so glad you posted it! Seriously girl I am just dying from longing for this cake! And it’s stunning! You have outdone yourself! Pinned!

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