Because everything is better with bacon.

And we certainly never dreamed of a bacon cake this incredible.

)all-purpose flour

1 1/2tsp.kosher salt

1tsp.baking powder

1/2tsp.ground cinnamon

1/4tsp.baking soda

3/4cup(6 oz.

Southern Living Bacon Cake on a platter to serve with a slice cut out and extra topping

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Remove skillet from heat.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper-towel lined plate; set aside.

Carefully pour 4 tablespoons bacon drippings into a small heatproof bowl.

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake ingredients

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Do not wipe skillet clean.

Let reserved drippings in bowl cool at room temperature until ready to use.

Prepare Bacon Cake:

Preheat oven to 350F.

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake bacon cooking in a skillet

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Generously coat a 12-cup Bundt pan with baking spray; set aside.

Whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and baking soda in a medium bowl.

Add maple syrup to butter mixture; beat on medium speed until incorporated, about 1 minute.

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake bacon draining on paper towels

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Reduce mixer speed to low.

Fold 1/2 cup of the cooked bacon into cake batter.

Spoon into prepared Bundt pan, and smooth top.

Southern Living Maple Bacon Cake letting the bacon drippings cool in a bowl

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Remove pan from oven, and let cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Invert cake onto wire rack, and let cool completely, about 3 hours.

Add chopped pecans and remaining cooked bacon (about 2/3 cup) to butter mixture in skillet.

Southern Living Maple Bacon Cake pan coated with baking spray

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Transfer candied bacon mixture to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Immediately sprinkle with cayenne.

Let stand until set and completely cooled, 1 to 2 hours.

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake whisking together the dry ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Break into 1/2- to 3/4-inch pieces, and set aside.

Stir in maple syrup until combined.

Add powdered sugar, buttermilk, and salt.

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake beating the butter and bacon grease in the mixer

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Whisk vigorously until completely smooth, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Pour warm Maple-Bacon Frosting over cooled Bacon Cake.

Immediately sprinkle frosting with 1 cup Candied Bacon and Pecans, decorating as desired.

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake maple syrup added to the mixing bowl

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake adding the eggs to the cake batter

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately to the cake batter

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake adding the bacon to the cake batter

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake adding the batter to the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake in the pan after baking

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake cooling on a cooling rack

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake melting the butter in the skillet

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake butter and sugar mixture bubbling in skillet

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake adding the pecans to the sugar mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake finishing the candied pecans

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake candied pecans on baking sheet

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake sprinkling the candied pecans with cayenne

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake melting the butter for the frosting

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake adding the maple syrup to the frosting

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake adding the powdered sugar and buttermilk to the frosting

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake whisking the frosting until smooth

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake pouring the frosting over the cake

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake sprinkled with candied pecans

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Maple Bacon Bundt Cake ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox