Cupcake Wars Winning Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Cupcakes
Why I Love This Recipe
This recipe was created on the spot during the competition of Cupcake Wars Season 3 premiere. On our first round, it was announced the theme was the Kentucky Derby and we had a table of ingredients to choose from. We went with the Mint Julep! Although the judges felt it could use more kick, you will see below there is a lot of alcohol! You be the judge!
Ingredients You'll Need
Cupcakes:
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon mint extract
4 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
3/4 cup bourbon (or whiskey)
1/4 cup clear Crème de Menthe
Bourbon and Mint Frosting:
1 Cup Butter – Room Temperature
1/3 cup Bourbon (or whiskey)
¼ cup Green Crème de Menthe
Dash of Salt
4 cups Powdered Sugar
A little extra Bourbon for Soaking
Fresh Mint for Garnish (or a chocolate mint)
Directions
Cupcakes:
Pre-heat oven to 350 Degrees (F).
Place 36 liners in a cupcake pans.
Whisk salt, baking powder, and 1 3/4 cups of the flour.
Cream butter, sugar, eggs, and extracts in a large mixing bowl until creamy (make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl).
Gradually beat in the flour mixture.
Add the milk and liquors to the batter, then the rest of the flour (1 cup).
Mix as little as possible until the batter comes together.
Fill paper lined cupcake pan with large ice cream scoop.
Bake at 350 degrees (F) for 18 to 20 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans.
Place on wire rack and cool completely before frosting.
When cooled and before frosting, brush extra bourbon over the tops of all cupcakes to give a little added kick of bourbon.
Bourbon and Mint Frosting:
With paddle attachment, cream butter until smooth.
Add salt and 2 cups powdered sugar.
Slowly beat in until smooth, add Bourbon and Crème de Menthe and mix on low speed.
Add remaining sugar until smooth.
Adjust sugar for consistency variances depending on desired outcome of frosting.
Frost.
