Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup boiling water

For the Peanut Butter Filling:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Bacon:

• 6-8 slices of bacon
• ¼ cup maple syrup

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• • Crumbled bacon bits
  • Chopped peanuts
  • Extra maple syrup for drizzling

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  Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Cake:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  • In another bowl, mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, milk, sour cream, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  • Add the boiling water to the batter and mix until smooth (the batter will be thin, but that’s okay!).
  • Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let the cakes cool completely on a wire rack.

  2. Cook the Bacon:

  • While the cake is baking, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy.
  • Drain on paper towels, then drizzle the bacon with maple syrup. Let cool before chopping into small bits.

  3. Make the Peanut Butter Filling:

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.

  4. Make the Chocolate Frosting:

  • Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the dark chocolate chips and butter until smooth. Add the vanilla extract.
  • Let the frosting cool and thicken for about 10-15 minutes.

  5. Assemble the Cake:

  • Once the cakes have cooled, slice each cake in half to create four layers.
  • Spread a generous layer of peanut butter filling on the bottom layer of the first cake, then sprinkle with bacon bits.
  • Place the second cake layer on top and repeat the process until all layers are stacked.
  • Cover the entire cake with the chocolate frosting, smoothing it out with a spatula.
  • Top with more crumbled bacon bits, chopped peanuts, and a drizzle of maple syrup.

  6. Serve:

  • Chill the cake for 30 minutes to help it set.
  • Slice and serve! It’s a crazy, sweet, salty, and indulgent treat that’s sure to surprise and delight!