Bacon Maple french Toast Birthday Surprise Cupcakes

So for a 20's themed (Great Gatsby) Birthday Party I decided to make some silly cupcakes. I heard they were quite the crowd pleaser.

Brunch Cupcakes
(makes 24 cupcakes)

1 box Duncan Hines Fudge Marble Cake Mix
1 1/4 cup water
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
4 strips bacon cooked and chopped

Maple Bacon Frosting
(enough for 24 cupcakes and than some)

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 strips bacon, cooked and chopped for garnish
Walnuts chopped for additional garnish

For the cake:

Preheat oven for 15 - 20 mins at 350
Line 2 cupcake tins with cupcake liners of your choice
Blend dry mix, water, oil and eggs in large bowl at low speed until moistened (about 30 seconds).
Add bacon and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.
Measure 1 cup batter into small bowl and blend with coca powder packet
Slowly swirl into mixing bowl with the rest of the batter being careful to just swirl NOT MIX!
Spoon batter (about 1/4 cup into liners

Bake for 21 - 25 minutes (in a dark or coated tins)
Cupcakes are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.

For Frosting

Beat the cream cheese and butter with a mixer on medium speed until creamy.
Add the confectioners' sugar(slowly), maple syrup and cinnamon; beat until combined.
Pipeon the cooled cupcakes and top with chopped bacon, and walnuts if desired.