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Maple Bacon Apple Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 144 reviews

This Maple Bacon Apple Cake is a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, combining moist apple cake layers infused with warm spices and crispy bacon bits with a rich cream cheese frosting enhanced by maple syrup and bacon. Perfect for those seeking a unique and flavorful dessert, this cake balances the sweetness of apples and maple with the smoky crunch of bacon, creating an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 1/2 pound bacon, cooked crisp
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups chunky applesauce
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cheesecake Layer

  • 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Frosting

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with non-stick cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper circles to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook and Process Bacon: Cook 1 pound of bacon until crispy using your preferred method. Drain grease and pat dry with paper towels. Chop into pieces and pulse in a food processor until finely diced. Set aside.
  3. Mix Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the wet ingredients: granulated sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet, then fold in half of the processed bacon. Stir until just combined and smooth; avoid over-mixing.
  4. Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 37-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 30 to 60 minutes before running a knife around edges to loosen and remove from pans.
  5. Level the Cakes: Use a cake leveler or knife to trim the rounded tops of the cakes so layers are flat. Reserve trimmed cake tops for another use like cake pops or truffles.
  6. Prepare Cheesecake Layer: In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Add maple syrup and mix well. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until thick peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and uniform.
  7. Set Cheesecake Layer: Spray a 9-inch cake pan with non-stick spray and line the bottom with parchment paper. Pour the cheesecake batter into the pan, spreading evenly. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, then freeze for 20 minutes before assembly to firm it up.
  8. Make Frosting: Beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar to reach a frosting consistency. Mix in maple syrup and the remaining half pound of cooked bacon pieces.
  9. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer top side down on a cake plate. Spread a small amount of frosting evenly on top. Carefully place the chilled cheesecake layer on top, trimming any overhang to achieve an even edge. Add a thin layer of frosting over the cheesecake layer.
  10. Finish Assembly and Frosting: Top with the second cake layer, top side down. Use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake evenly. Decorate as desired.

Notes

  • Cooking the bacon until very crispy ensures it retains a nice crunch in the cake and frosting.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender and light.
  • Refrigerating and briefly freezing the cheesecake layer helps it hold shape when assembling.
  • Use parchment paper lining for easy cake removal and cleaner edges.
  • This cake serves about 12 people.

Keywords: maple bacon cake, apple cake, cream cheese frosting, spiced cake, dessert recipe, bacon dessert, maple syrup cake

Find it online: https://todayfoodrecipe.com/maple-bacon-apple-cake-recipe/