How do you pipe mashed potatoes to look like cupcake frosting?

To get that perfect swirl, use a large star piping tip with a sturdy piping bag. Make sure the mashed potatoes are warm—not hot—and very smooth. You can add a little cream or butter to thin the texture. Pipe just like frosting, starting in the center and spiraling upward. The visual effect adds a playful and elegant touch to smoky bourbon BBQ bacon-wrapped meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting and helps mimic the look of sweet cupcakes while keeping the savory surprise inside.

Can you make meatloaf cupcakes ahead of time and freeze them?

Absolutely! These savory cupcakes freeze exceptionally well. You can freeze them baked or raw. For baked cupcakes, cool completely, wrap individually, and freeze for up to 2 months. To serve, reheat and re-glaze. For raw versions, freeze them in the muffin tin, then transfer to a bag. Just thaw and bake as usual—or add 10 extra minutes if baking from frozen. That’s what makes smoky bourbon BBQ bacon-wrapped meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting such a convenient and crowd-pleasing option for busy home cooks.

What type of bacon works best for wrapping individual meatloaves?

Thin-cut bacon is ideal for wrapping. It crisps up faster and contours well to the meatloaf’s shape. Avoid thick-cut bacon—it takes longer to render and may stay chewy. You can also use maple or peppered bacon for added flavor. Just be sure to overlap slightly to ensure even cooking and full coverage. This detail makes a huge difference when prepping smoky bourbon BBQ bacon-wrapped meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting for large gatherings.

smoky bourbon bbq bacon-wrapped meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting

Name: Smoky Bourbon BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 12 cupcakes
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lb ground beef; 1/2 cup breadcrumbs; 2 eggs; 1/2 cup BBQ sauce; 2 tbsp bourbon; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; Salt and pepper to taste; 12 slices thin-cut bacon; 2 cups mashed potatoes (Yukon Gold); 1/4 cup butter; 1/4 cup warm cream; 1 tbsp cream cheese (optional); Fresh chives or parsley for garnish

Description

These smoky bourbon BBQ bacon-wrapped meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting are the ultimate comfort food upgrade—crispy bacon, juicy meatloaf, and creamy mashed potato frosting all in one savory bite-sized package.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1 egg

1/4 cup milk

1/2 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup ketchup

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

12 slices thin-cut bacon

1 cup prepared mashed potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)

2 tbsp cream or butter (for mash)

Optional: chives or herbs for garnish

1/2 cup bourbon BBQ sauce

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a muffin tin with non-stick spray.

2. In a bowl, combine beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper.

3. Line each muffin cup with a slice of bacon, pressing against sides.

4. Fill each with meatloaf mixture, pressing gently.

5. Bake for 25 minutes, remove briefly and brush with bourbon BBQ sauce.

6. Return to oven for 10 minutes until bacon is crisp and glaze is sticky.

7. Let cool slightly. Meanwhile, prepare mashed potatoes until creamy and pipeable.

8. Transfer potatoes to piping bag with star tip. Pipe onto each cupcake.

9. Garnish with herbs if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

You can prep the cupcakes a day ahead and reheat just before serving.

Try swapping in ground turkey or pork for variety.

To freeze: wrap baked cupcakes individually and reheat at 350°F for 25 minutes.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cupcake
Calories: 320
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 540mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 65mg