Todd Cupcakes = Bacon + Chocolate

...or nirvana
...or a little taste of heaven
at least that's what Todd the Science Guy said.
And actually, that's the only opinion that mattered.

Sometimes cupcakes should be
vanilla
or chocolate chip
or just sinfully sweet,
full of love,
and remind you of every other birthday that you've had. 
Those cupcakes are fantastic,
but sometimes those cupcakes aren't quite fitting.

Some people just inspire me to try something different.
That's Todd.
How do you describe a Todd.
He's...well...just Todd!
Really, I just don't know how to describe him,
       except that he's like an awesome neighbor.
-The kind that would come over in the pouring-down rain to help dig a trench if your basement was flooding.
-Chop down that tree that fell down in the storm and take home the          firewood.
-Or come over if there's a weird animal in your shed,
                                           and you were too terrified to look at it, or even open up the door.
                                                            Todd would take care of that creepy critter.

Everyone needs a Todd in their world.

That's why when it's a Todd birthday, normal everyday cupcakes,
though delicious, they would not suffice. 

That's why I made him Bacon-Chocolate Cupcakes.
Heck, he loves bacon and chocolate, so why not?!

Bacon-Chocolate Cupcakes
Chocolate Batter recipe from Better Homes and Garden Cupcakes
Marshmallow Frosting recipe from The Happy Housewife
Ingredients:

Bacon-Chocolate Cupcakes:
3/4 cup butter

3 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2-1 pound cooked bacon- crispy!

 

Frosting:

- 7 ounces marshmallow cream

- 1/2 cup butter softened

- 1 teaspoon vanilla

- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

- 2-3 tablespoons milk

 

Topping:

- Magic Shell (yes...magic shell!)

 

Directions:

Cupcakes:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Chop and cook bacon, then chop the cooked pieces into small chunks.  Save a few longer strips to place on the top.

 

3. Place butter and eggs on the counter and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line two muffin tins with paper cupcake liners.

 

4. In a medium bowl stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside for later.

 

5. In a large mixer, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, beating on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.

 

6. Add some of the crumbled bacon into batter and mix gently.

 

7. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each cup two-thirds full. Add bacon crumbles to the tops of the cupcakes before baking...a little more is always better!

 

8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool cupcakes completely before frosting.

 

 

 

 

Frosting:

1. Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Add extra milk if necessary to get the correct consistency.
2. Frost cooled cupcakes.
3. Add magic shell and a strip of bacon to the top of each cupcake.
4. Chill cupcakes in the refrigerator until topping forms.

Share and enjoy with your friends....especially if you have a Todd.
Todd's love bacon...they love chocolate...
...and they deserve some tasty, unique treats.



If you don't already have a Todd, you should find one. 
Everyone needs a Todd. 
Happy Birthday to all of the Todd's out there!