Week 17. Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Cupcakes

We had the UP picnic this week, and I wanted to make something festive and interesting. I've had this recipe all year- just waiting for the Kentucky Derby! I wish I'd had a cute little edible hats to decorate with.



Mint Julep Cupcakes

Ingredients:

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.

**Hannah's Hints**

* Don't forget to add everything...it's kind of ridiculous when you're like "Wait, I never used the _____" So pay attention.

* This makes a ridiculous amount of icing, as per usual. It's good icing, though.

* If you only want to make a certain amount, you can easily put the rest of the batter in the fridge and make it at a later date!

* Use fresh mint as a garnish (or flourish, as a friend of mine used to call it). Mint is so fun! I love that you can eat things like plants and flowers.