Cook the Bacon and Onion: Start by heating a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and let it sizzle for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes crispy and golden. Once the bacon is ready, toss in the finely diced sweet onion and continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes until the onion is softened and translucent. Remove from heat, reserving a tablespoon of the mixture for garnish.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, table salt, ground cayenne, and chopped chives until well combined. The dry ingredients will provide structure to your Bacon Corn Griddle Cakes, ensuring they have a light and fluffy texture. Make sure there are no lumps, and set the bowl aside while you prepare the wet mixture.

Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, pour in the milk, crack in the egg, and add the vegetable oil. Whisk these ingredients together until they are fully combined and slightly frothy. This wet mixture will help bind the ingredients together. Gradually pour this blend into the dry mixture, stirring gently until just combined—be mindful not to overmix, as a few lumps are perfectly fine.

Fold in the Add-ins: Now, gently fold in the reserved bacon-onion mixture, sweet corn, and cheese into your batter. Use a spatula to combine everything evenly, ensuring that the bacon, cheese, and corn are distributed throughout.

Heat the Skillet and Cook the Cakes: Return to the skillet and add a little vegetable oil to coat the bottom over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, use a 1/4 cup measuring scoop to pour batter into the skillet, forming round cakes. Cook each cake for about 3-4 minutes, until you see bubbles forming on the surface and the edges turn golden brown. Carefully flip the cakes and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the other side is also golden and crisp.

Serve and Enjoy: Remove the cakes from the skillet and keep them warm. Serve the Bacon Corn Griddle Cakes hot, topped with the reserved bacon and a generous drizzle of maple syrup if desired.