French Toast Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream Frosting

French Toast Cupcakes:
1 box white cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup half and half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Maple Buttercream Frosting
1/2 lb. bacon slices, cooked until crispy, cut into 2" strips

Mix together cake mix, eggs, half and half, vanilla and spices. Beat batter until well combines.  Do not over mix.

Scoop batter into paper liners filling ¾ full. Batter will be thick. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, or until cupcakes are slightly golden around the edge. Remove cupcakes from the oven and cool completely. Frost with maple buttercream frosting. Top with 2 small strips of bacon.

Maple Buttercream Frosting:
1 ½ teaspoons maple flavoring
2 sticks butter
3 tablespoons cream
1 lb. Powdered sugar

In a large mixer, add maple flavoring, butter and cream, beating on medium until smooth. Stop mixer and add ½ of the powdered sugar. Starting mixer on low speed, until powdered sugar is incorporated. Stop mixer and add remaining powdered sugar until desired texture. You may add more cream if needed, 1 tablespoon at a time. Frost cooled cupcakes.