mint julep cupcakes

recently we had a potluck lunch at the office where i work. i signed up to make cupcakes because i couldn't wait to try out the recipe i discovered last year: mint julep cupcakes. i made them last year for our kentucky derby party, and i thought they were pretty tasty. i was sure that my co-workers would like them too.

yep, that's some jim beam bourbon in that batter...

i even hand lettered a little name card, hoping to entice them into trying one of the bet cupcakes i've ever had.

i tinted the creme de menthe butter cream with a little green and sprinkled on some green sugar crystals, i also baked them in foil ups to mimick the traditional silver cups mint juleps are usually served in. i thought they looked pretty terrific!

here is the recipe i used, it's from hostess with the mostess

mint julep cupcakes

{adapted from Cooking and Booking}

Ingredients:

Cupcakes
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
4 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup bourbon (or whiskey)
1/2 cup Creme de Menthe

Icing
3 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mint extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
milk

Directions:

Cupcakes
Preheat the oven to 350º F, and grease or line 30 cupcake cups.

Combine salt, baking powder, and 1 3/4 cups of the flour. Beat butter, sugar, eggs, and extracts in a large mixing bowl until creamy. 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, just until the batter comes together. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake cups. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let cool.

Icing
Combine the powdered sugar, salt, extracts and melted butter and beat until creamy. Gradually add milk until the texture is right for piping. When the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the icing on top. Garnish with cake sparkles or sprinkles, a straw (trimmed to size), and mint leaves.