Dark Chocolate Bacon Cupcakes

(Courtesy of Allrecipes)

Ingredients:
12 slices bacon
2 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. plus 1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 c. white sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2 eggs
1 c. strong brewed coffee, cold
1 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. vegetable oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line 2 (12 cup each) muffin tins with cupcake liners.  Place bacon in a large, deep skillet.  Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown.  (You can cook the bacon in batches as it is too much for one batch).  Drain, crumble and set aside.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, 3/4 c. of the cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Make a well in the center and pour in eggs, coffee, buttermilk and oil.  Stir just until blended.  The batter will be thin.  Mix in 3/4 of the bacon, reserving the rest for garnish.  Spoon batter into prepared cups, dividing equally.

Bake in preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20-25 minutes.  Cool in pan set over a wire rack.  When cool, arrange cupcakes on a serving platter.  Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting and sprinkle reserved bacon crumbles on top.  Dust with remaining 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder.