Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bacon Explosion Cake

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

For Decoration:
Crumbled bacon bits
Chopped peanuts
Extra maple syrup for drizzling
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!