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These adorable meatloaf cupcakes are bursting with flavor and topped with creamy mashed potato frosting. Perfect for family dinners or party appetizers!

Smoky Bourbon BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting

These adorable meatloaf cupcakes are bursting with flavor and topped with creamy mashed potato frosting. Perfect for family dinners or party appetizers!
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Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

### For the Meatloaf Cupcakes
  • - 1 lb ground beef 80/20 chuck recommended
  • - 1 small onion finely diced
  • - 1 celery stalk finely diced
  • - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • - 1 large egg
  • - 1/4 cup milk
  • - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • - 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • - 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • - 12 slices thin-cut bacon
  • - 1/2 cup Bourbon BBQ sauce store-bought or homemade
### For the Mashed Potato Frosting
  • - 2 lbs russet potatoes peeled and quartered
  • - 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half for richer texture
  • - 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
  • - 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • - Pinch of black pepper

Equipment

  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Large mixing bowl
  • - Potato masher or hand mixer
  • Piping bag or Ziploc bag
  • Medium saucepan
  • Wire rack

Method
 

  1. ### Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture
  2. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
  3. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, diced onion, celery, panko, egg, milk, parsley, and all seasonings.
  4. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.
  5. ### Form the Cupcakes
  6. Divide mixture evenly into 12 portions. Shape each into a compact ball.
  7. Wrap each with a bacon slice and place in muffin cups.
  8. ### Bake
  9. Bake for 20 minutes.
  10. Remove from oven, brush tops with Bourbon BBQ sauce.
  11. Return to oven for 15–25 minutes, until bacon is crispy and internal temp reaches 160°F (71°C).
  12. Remove and let rest on a wire rack.
  13. ### Make the Mashed Potato Frosting
  14. While meatloaf bakes, boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (15–20 minutes).
  15. Drain and return to pot.
  16. Add milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Mash until creamy (use a mixer for smoother texture).
  17. ### Frost and Serve
  18. Pipe mashed potatoes on top of each meatloaf using a piping bag or Ziploc.
  19. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Add shredded cheddar to mashed potatoes for extra flavor.
- Make ahead and refrigerate or freeze unfrosted meatloaf cupcakes.
- Swap in ground turkey or pork for a different twist.