Just Because!

Super easy and yummy! Plus you can alter the ingredients for other yummy combos! Here's how to make these cupcakes (or muffins - whatever you want to call them). Ingredients for the Cupcake -1 1/2 cups of flour -2 Tsp baking powder -1/2 Tsp baking soda -1 pinch of salt -1/2 cup softened unsalted butter -2/3 cup brown sugar -2 eggs -1/3 cup plain yogurt -1/3 cup maple syrup For the Frosting -1 stick of softened butter -2 cups of powdered sugar -7 Tbs maple syrup For the sprinkles -5 or 6 stips of bacon Directions: -Preheat oven to 350 degrees -Fry the bacon, drain on paper towel, let cool then crumble -In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt -Whisk together well. Set bowl aside -Next, cream together the unsalted butter and brown sugar in another bowl -Then beat in one egg -Then put in half of the dry ingredients from the other bowl. Mix well. -Then add second egg and remaining dry ingredient.Mix well. -Then add the yogurt and maple syrup. Mix well. -Put the mixture in a greased muffin/cupcake tin. Only fill half way. -Bake for 20 minutes. -Then make the frosting. -Sift the powdered sugar in a bowl -Then add the softened butter, mix. Then add maple syrup -Mix well. This can also be done in a food processor! -When cupcakes are done, do the toothpick test. Make sure it comes out clean. -Transfer to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely before frosting them. -Once cool, frost them. Add bacon bits and serve! Enjoy!

Perfect way to dress up those old brussel sprouts! Great for a holiday side dish or any day of the week. Easy to make, here's how; INGREDIENTS: -2 pounds of brussel sprouts -4 or 5 strips of bacon -1/3 cup of Craisins -1/3 cup of chopped pecans -1/4 cup of crumbled blue cheese/asiago/feta For Dressing -1 Tbsp of olive oil (I used avocado) -2 Tbsp of balsamic dressing -1 Tbsp of brown or dijon mustard -1 Tbs of honey -1/2 Tsp of garlic salt -Fresh cracked black pepper INSTRUCTIONS: -Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees -Cut brussel srpouts in half and place on a non stick sheet -Spray with oil and shake on the salt and pepper -Roast in oven for 15 - 20 minutes (until edges are browning) -Cook bacon, drain on paper towel and let cool. Then crumble -When sprouts are done, remove from oven and let cool completely -In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic, honey, mustard, salt and some pepper. -Place the sprouts, bacon, Craisins and pecans in your serving bowl -Pour the dressing over and toss -Garnish with the blue cheese crumbles and serve! Enjoy!

Bacon and ice cream go so well together - it's awesome! You can also add other items like chocolate chips or drizzle in carmel, etc. Easy dump n' go. Here's how you make it with your ice cream maker: INGREDIENTS -6 strips of bacon -3/4 cup sugar -1 cup of whole milk -2 Tsp vanilla -2 cups heavy cream -some maple syrup -some brown sugar INSTRUCTIONS: -Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees -The place bacon on a baking sheet -Brush with maple syrup and sprinkle the brown sugar on top -Place in oven for 10 - 12 minutes -Take a small bowl and add sugar, milk and whisk until sugar dissolves -Add the heavy cream and vanilla - keep whisking -Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and start the machine -Take bacon out and flip strips over and repeat maple syrup and brown sugar process -Put back in oven for another 10 - 15 minuters or until done. -Remove from oven, let cool. Then chop up the bacon into bits -After the ice cream maker has been churning for 25 minutes or so, add the bacon bits slowly to the mixture. Let churn an additional 5 minutes. -Remove ice cream and serve or place in freezer for a few hours for a harder consistency. ENJOY!

Bacon Empanadas are tasty and very versatile as you can stuff them with your favorite things! Here's how we made ours; INGREDIENTS: -3 strips of bacon -A can of green chilis -1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese (you pick flavor we used cheddar & monterrey) -2 cups of frozen corn -1/2 cup of sliced green onions -1 pie crust dough -1 egg -1 Tbsp water -Smoked paprika for garnish INSTRUCTIONS: -Preheat oven to 400 degress -Fry the bacon, reserve 2 Tbsp of drippings -Let bacon cool, then chop -Add the corn to the drippings in the pan on med-high heat. Char until edges are brown (about 7-8 minutes) -Then add the chopped bacon, chiles, cheese and green onions. Mix well -Line a baking sheet with parchment paper -On a floured board, roll out your pie dough -Using a biscuit cutter (or a glass) - make your shells -Place the shells on the parchment paper -Lay some mixture on each shell. Fold them in half, crimp the edges with a fork. -Brush the egg wash over each empanada. -Sprinkle the smoked paprika on each empanada -Bake in oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. -Let cool, platter up , serve and enjoy!

Wow! My 3 favorite flavors in one cookie! Bacon, chocolate and potato chips! Here's how to make them; INGREDIENTS -1 cup of flour -1/2 Tsp of baking soda -1/4 Tsp coarse salt -1 stick unsalted butter (room temp) -1/3 cup packed brown sugar -1/3 cup granulated sugar -1/2 Tsp of vanilla -8 to 10 slices of bacon (slice 2 or 3 strips, chop the other strips for batter) -3/4 cup of chocolate (either chips or a block chopped) -2 cups of crushed potato chips -1 egg INSTRUCTIONS: -Preheat oven to 375 degrees -In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt -Beat together butter and sugars with a mixer until fluffy -Add vanilla and egg - beat on medium until combined -Add the flour mixture to combine. -Stir in bacon, chocolate and potato chips -Place parchment paper on your cookie sheet -Using a scoop, roll the doub into 20 balls (or so). -Place one of the sliced pieces of bacon on top of the cookie dough -Bake until golden brown. Between 13 - 15 minutes -Remove from oven, cool and enjoy!

We broke out the ole Breadman Bread machine and made fresh cheddar cheese and bacon bread! Easy and delicious! Here's how to make it: INGREDIENTS (for one pound loaf) -2/3 cup of milk -1 tbs butter -2 tsp sugar -1/2 tsp salt -2 cups bread flour -1 tsp yeast -1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese --1/2 cup crumbled bacon

Well who couldn't like the flavor combo of cheese, hickory and bacon? We decided to check out these cheese curds from Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery.

Meat prices are on the rise! Bacon shortages could be coming with California's newest demands on hog farmers! Buy now and store your bacon. Here's the best way I have found to store your bacon for longer life!

Want a really good bacon burger? Then you should stop at Moonshiner's Bar & Grill in Braselton, Ga! They offer a large selection of adult beverages, live music and lots of TV screens for games! We tried 2 of their bacon topped burgers. Yummy!!