A few weeks ago, for Liz's birthday, we sampled the Mo's Bacon Bar by Vosges. Here at work, we love trying odd flavor combinations. Its the foodie in us foodies in the food world, got that? Inspired by this tasty candy bar, I was challenged to make a cupcake based on this candy. This would not be the first time that I took on the challenge of marrying cupcakes and bacon. Let's not forget that Vanilla Garlic lit my bacon bug with his Maple Bacon Cupcakes.

I present to you the Dark Chocolate Bacon cupcake. A creation all my own. I must say, based on our "official" tasting, they were a SCREAMING success. Some quotes by the taste panel include:

• perfect separation of smokey bacon and sweet chocolate.
  
• combination of the two best comfort foods; bacon and chocolate.
  
• this is f*ckin' awesome!
• its toothsome and ambrosial (for you Liz)
  

Seriously, these were soo good I would definitely make these again. They weren't just good, they were DELICIOUS. Recipe is below:

DARK CHOCOLATE BACON CUPCAKES

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa + cocoa for garnish
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup cold brewed coffee
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
12-20 slices of bacon (gooooood smokey bacon)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Chop and then fry bacon until crispy, drain and cool.
3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs, coffee, buttermilk, and oil. Mix until smooth, batter will be thin. Gently mix in the three quarters of the bacon. Reserve the remaining bacon for garnish.
4. Fill cupcake liners to half full.
5. Reduce oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
6. Frost cupcakes with favorite chocolate frosting.
7. Sprinkle with cocoa powder and remaining bacon crumbles.

tasters, originally uploaded by mkecupcakequeen.

Official Strange Flavors Tasting Panel:
Rachael, Liz, John and myself (taking the pix).