Are you a Kentucky Derby Fan? Do you like to put on your biggest hat and cheer along as the horses trot around at full speed? Truth is- I’m really not. It’s not that I don’t LOVE large hats- (I do, ) or even the thought of cheering on my favorite horsey, (that sounds fun too,) I’ve just never seen the Derby. But- I do love love love me a good Mint Julep. (It may be one of my favorite cocktails ever.) And the thought of a day where a Mint Julep is the traditional drink seemed worthy of it’s own cupcake. (Don’t you think?)
The recipe for these is pretty simple. It starts with cupcake batter spiked with bourbon and pure mint extract. Once the cupcakes are cooled, I pricked the tops with a fork and brushed on some extra bourbon for good measure. The fluffy frosting was also infused with bourbon and mint, giving the whole cupcake a perfectly boozy quality. These would be perfect for a Derby Day party this Saturday or just a day you want a really delicious cupcake!
Update 5/3/13- I shot a video making these cupcakes for ABC news! Check it out!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pure mint extract
- 4 eggs
- 2 3/4 cups flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup of bourbon (or whiskey) (plus extra for tops of the cakes.)
- frosting:
- 2 sticks of butter (softened)
- 4-6 cups of powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp mint extract
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
- 1/4 cup of milk or cream
- Mint leaves for garnishing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F, line 24 cupcake tins with liners and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine salt, baking powder, and 1 3/4 cups of the flour.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar, eggs, and extracts in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in the flour mixture until just combined. Add the milk and bourbon to the batter, and then the remaining flour (1 cup). Don't over-mix!
- Divide batter equally amongst the 24 tins. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let cool.
- Once cool, prick the tops of each cake with a fork and brush tops with bourbon.)
- Whip the butter until creamy and pale. Add the powdered sugar a cup at a time until thick and paste-like. (You may not need all 6 cups.)
- Add the extract and bourbon and then the milk- 1 tablespoon at a time until frosting is thick and creamy. Add additional powdered sugar or milk if the frosting is too wet or dry.
- Swirl or pipe frosting onto cupcakes and garnish with a mint leaf or straw. (Optional.)
Cupcake recipe adapted from Hostess with the Mostess.
was looking for a “bourbon” cupcake…found this recipe…replaced all the mint extract with vanilla extract…my oh my! this recipe is fantastic! the cupcake texture was exactly what i was looking for. the icing was really easy to work with (it seemed to work better piped than spread). i used four roses bourbon and the kick was there. i have taste tested one that was slightly above room temperature and another that was just out of the fridge. you could taste more flavors in the warmer one…so definitely bring them to room temp before serving! thanks for such a great idea!
Oh yay! I’m so glad you liked them!
Made these for a Derby Party yesterday. They were the hit of the party!
Such cute cupcakes! I love the cupcake wrappers.
I wish you could bake for me. Need to make a dessert tomorrow. Ugh.
What a lovely ode to a southern classic!
These look so pretty! The flavors sound wonderful. I am not sure I have ever had a Mint Julep before, I might have to change that!
I don’t even like mint, but I love your presentation with the little straw – adorable!
those look wonderful and you are certainly timely with the mint julip
very cute!
Anything involving bourbon and big hats is perfect in my book. And I love the straws!
LOVE the straw touch!!
I would love to drink my dessert. Perfect! And the straws, too cute!
I’m obsessing over the straws. Too cute!
These are too cute and a great way to celebrate the derby…even for those who aren’t big fans (including me!)
What a fabulous idea for cupcakes, Audra! These look so simple yet delicious, and I love your little straw detail! Too cute.
Being from Kentucky – I totally appreciate you posting this cupcake recipe. I am going to send the link to all my KY friends. If you ever get the chance, you should come to the Derby, if for no other reason that just to see the hats. They are incredible in person!
These are so cute! I do watch the Derby, but mostly because I live in Maryland not too far from Pimlico, so it’s a big deal around here.
These cupcakes looks so good that I don’t want to damage the decoration. With its mint flavor, this cupcakes is perfect refreshment.
Yum! These sound so tasty!