Smoky Bourbon BBQ Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting

Absolutely! Here’s a full recipe for Smoky Bourbon BBQ Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting — bold, savory, and comfort food at its most creative.

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🧁 Smoky Bourbon BBQ Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato “Frosting”

🔸 Ingredients (Makes 10–12 cupcakes)

🥩 For the Meatloaf Cupcakes:

• 1 lb ground beef

• ½ lb ground pork (or use all beef)

• 1 large egg

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ¼ cup smoky bourbon BBQ sauce (plus extra for glazing)

• 2 tbsp ketchup

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 6–12 slices of bacon (1 per cupcake)

🥔 For the Mashed Potato Frosting:

• 2 large russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 3 tbsp butter

• ⅓ cup milk or cream (adjust for consistency)

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Optional: ¼ cup shredded cheddar, 1 tbsp sour cream for extra richness

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🔪 Instructions

✅ Step 1: Prep the Potatoes

1. Place potatoes in a pot of cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 15–18 minutes.

2. Drain and mash with butter, milk/cream, salt, and pepper. Stir in cheese or sour cream if desired.

3. Let cool slightly. Transfer to a piping bag with a large star tip or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped.

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✅ Step 2: Make the Meatloaf Mixture

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a large bowl, combine ground meats, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, BBQ sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix just until combined — don’t overwork.

3. Line each cup of a muffin tin with 1 slice of bacon (wrap it around the edge of each cup).

4. Fill each bacon-lined cup with meat mixture, slightly mounded on top.

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✅ Step 3: Bake and Glaze

1. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until internal temp reaches 160°F (71°C).

2. Remove, brush the tops with extra BBQ sauce, and return to the oven for 5–7 more minutes until caramelized.

3. Let rest for 5 minutes in the pan.

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✅ Step 4: Frost and Serve

1. Carefully remove meatloaf cupcakes from the tin.

2. Pipe mashed potatoes on top like frosting.

3. Garnish with chives, paprika, or crispy onions for flair.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Serve with roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad.

• These freeze beautifully (frost after reheating).

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🔄 Variations

• Swap bacon for prosciutto or skip it for a leaner version.

• Add a touch of bourbon directly to the meat mix or BBQ sauce for deeper flavor.

• Try a sweet potato mash “frosting” for a twist.

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Would you like a printable version or a low-carb version with cauliflower mash