Let’s dive into the process of bringing these cupcakes to life:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a muffin tin.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
3. Line each muffin cup with a slice of bacon, letting it overlap slightly at the ends.
4. Divide the meat mixture evenly among the bacon-lined cups, pressing gently to fill each one.
5. Spoon a generous tablespoon of smoky bourbon BBQ sauce over each meatloaf cupcake.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and the bacon is crispy.
7. Allow to cool slightly before removing from the tin. Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce on the side.

A little tip from my kitchen to yours: If you’re ever unsure about the seasoning, cook a small piece of the meat mixture in a skillet to taste-test before baking the full batch. It’s a trick I picked up from countless family gatherings where the flavors had to be just right!