Maple Bacon Upside Down Birthday Cake

by | Jul 22, 2014 | Bacon, Cake Decorating, Recipes | 14 comments

Yesterday we celebrated our oldest son’s 14th birthday!  This year, for his birthday theme, we decided to focus on one of his favorite foods: BACON!

When I asked the birthday boy what type of cake he would like this year, his answer was, “A white cake topped with a Bacon Donut and surrounded by Cream Puffs!” (Cream Puffs are another favorite treat of his!)  I got pretty nauseous after searching for images of “Bacon Birthday Cakes” but thought I might be able to pull off a Bundt Cake, topped with a Maple Glaze and Bacon Crumbles. Then Charlotte came to my rescue and emailed me the link to this Maple Bacon Upside Down Cake which actually looked really yummy!

Despite comments and questions from our guests (my Dad!) like “You didn’t actually put real bacon on that cake?!” the cake was such a hit and it didn’t last very long. Before it completely disappeared, I wrapped up a piece to send home with my brother and niece, for my sister-in-law. (She had stayed home with their brand new one-week-old baby girl!) Here is the text message Meagan sent me this afternoon:

“Are you kidding me with that cake?! That is seriously the best thing I’ve ever eaten. EVER!! I must have that recipe!”

Maple Bacon Upside Down Cake

Ingredients:

  • 6 slices maple-smoked bacon
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
  • 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup real maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ white cake mix
  • 1 container (8 oz) sour cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. In 12-inch skillet, cook bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels. Tear bacon into pieces; set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet.

Vintage Style Cafe Toile Apron – Beautiful Tiered Knit Peasant Skirt
Meanwhile, in 13×9-inch pan, melt butter in oven. 

Cook pecans in reserved bacon drippings over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until light brown. Add brown sugar, maple syrup and vanilla to pecans, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Pour mixture over butter in pan. 
In large bowl, beat cake mix, sour cream, milk, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed until moistened. 
Beat 2 minutes on medium speed; stir in almond extract. 
Pour batter over pecan mixture in pan. 
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. 
Place heatproof serving plate upside down on pan; turn plate and pan over. Let pan remain over cake 1 minute so pecan mixture can drizzle over cake. 
Remove pan; sprinkle cake with bacon. Serve warm. 
I’ll be back sometime soon with the rest of the birthday pictures, including the cream puffs!

Update: A Bacon Birthday Party!

14 Comments

  1. Christine

    Happy Birthday once again to your son! One of my daughters has the same skirt only in the maritime pattern. It is one of her favorite skirts. I wish that Garnet Hill had had more in her size when I bought it. We'll have to try the cake recipe. Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful week!

    2014-07-22 07:01:45

    Reply
  2. Karen

    That looks awesome!

    2014-07-22 13:57:50

    Reply
  3. Olivia

    my husband would love this!! thanks for sharing!

    2014-07-22 14:52:29

    Reply
  4. Carrie McDowell

    JMJ Wow! I'm trying to think of an occasion for us to try it!

    2014-07-22 15:16:46

    Reply
  5. guest

    I love how personalized the birthday celebrations are and how you encourage your kids to help in the preparation. Such great memories for all. You are a real inspiration!!!

    2014-07-22 16:30:36

    Reply
  6. TheresaEH

    do your cooks make house calls 😉

    2014-07-22 19:21:45

    Reply
  7. jbc2789

    Wow! I'm going to have to make this one!

    2014-07-22 21:27:15

    Reply
  8. Collette B.

    What a great idea!! Sounds like the perfect theme for a 14 year old boy 🙂 You always have such a creative way for your celebrations! My oldest is turning 14 in a few weeks, too, & has outgrown the "themed" cakes, but we never thought about a food theme, lol! Can't wait to see the birthday pics!
    Seems like it was just yesterday when my family first began following your blog and all of your children (and mine!) were still so small!! Time goes by so fast!

    Happy 14th birthday, Captain! God bless you!

    2014-07-22 21:59:23

    Reply
  9. Amy Caroline

    I have to admit I was looking forward to the cake that looked like an enormous donut, but this looks divine!

    2014-07-23 02:38:34

    Reply
  10. Janie-MyOverAllApron

    HA! That's funny about the same skirt. It's not unusual for two Catholic families to share the same clothes – they all have the same, modest taste! Wow! This cake looks rich and delish. I want to make it with our pasture-fed pigs, straight from our farm, right now! From your whole foody! Janie Lynn

    2014-07-23 13:19:43

    Reply
  11. Amanda

    I seriously can't wait to make this! And if you all are ever in Dallas there is a donut shop that makes maple bacon Cronuts that are delicious! Such a fun birthday for your son! Happy Birthday!

    2014-07-23 20:03:03

    Reply
  12. Mandi

    Just made your cake for my husband's 30th. Boy howdy is it delicious or what?! I think I've given your recipe out to four or five people. Love it! 🙂

    2014-09-20 23:01:31

    Reply
  13. Jessica Gordon

    I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Happy birthday to your husband!

    2014-09-22 13:39:49

    Reply
  14. Theresa

    I'm making this cake for my husband's birthday this Friday. (making an exception for meat that day 🙂 )

    2014-10-20 19:25:18

    Reply

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