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Maple Bacon Apple Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 53 reviews

A delightful Maple Bacon Apple Cake combining the sweet and smoky flavors of maple syrup, crispy bacon, and chunky applesauce in a moist layered cake, topped with a creamy maple bacon frosting and a unique cheesecake layer for extra richness.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 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 Ingredients

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

Frosting Ingredients

  • 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 your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with non-stick cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper circles to ensure easy removal.
  2. Cook Bacon: Cook 1 pound of bacon until crispy using your preferred method. Drain excess grease and pat dry with paper towels. Chop into manageable pieces, then pulse in a food processor with the dicing option until finely chopped. Reserve half for the cake batter and half for the frosting.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, chunky applesauce, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients and Bacon: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, then fold in half of the processed bacon. Stir until just combined and smooth, avoiding over-mixing.
  5. Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 37 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 30 minutes to an hour. Loosen edges with a knife before carefully removing and level the cakes by trimming any domed tops.
  6. Prepare Cheesecake Layer: Beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together with a hand mixer until smooth. Mix in the maple syrup. In a standing mixer, whip the heavy cream until thick and stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until smooth.
  7. Chill Cheesecake Layer: Spray a 9-inch cake pan with non-stick spray and line with a parchment circle. Pour the cheesecake batter evenly, smoothing the top. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results. Before assembling the cake, freeze the cheesecake layer for 20 minutes to firm it up.
  8. Make Frosting: Beat butter and softened cream cheese together until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency. Stir in the remaining chopped bacon and maple syrup evenly.
  9. Assemble Cake: Place one cake layer upside down on a cake plate. Spread a thin layer of frosting on top. Add the chilled cheesecake layer, trimming any overhang for an even surface. Spread some frosting over the cheesecake. Top with the remaining cake layer, upside down, and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting as desired.

Notes

  • Ensure bacon is very crispy and thoroughly drained to avoid greasy batter and frosting.
  • Do not over-mix the batter to maintain tender cake texture.
  • Chilling the cheesecake layer overnight helps it set firm and prevents cake layers from sliding during assembly.
  • You can use homemade or store-bought chunky applesauce depending on preference.
  • Leveling the cake layers helps achieve a professional look and makes stacking easier.

Keywords: Maple Bacon Apple Cake, Apple Cake, Bacon Cake, Layer Cake, Cheesecake Layer, Maple Syrup Cake

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