[Recipe] Christmas 2013: "Holiday Refresher" Mint Julep Cupcakes

There are so many Christmas desserts.  So many.  Sugar cookies, gingerbread, figgy pudding (how else to wish someone a merry Christmas?), shortbread, fruitcake (although most people seem to hate this last one)... the list goes on and on, and frankly, even as I'm typing, there are so many recipes I can't wait to try.

When planning this year's Christmas menu, though, I knew I wanted to make something minty for dessert.  Preferably chocolate-y as well, but my favorite flourless chocolate cakes, like so many other truly wintry chocolate desserts, can really only be served right out of the oven, and I wasn't holding the dinner party at my own apartment but at a friend's, so the dessert had to be made way ahead of time.  Adding alcohol—and especially bourbon-- was sort of the icing on the cake, so to speak—I knew my guests (mostly men) would definitely appreciate it.

Aren't these cupcake liners too adorable?  I saw them at the store and knew I had to have them.  I'm actually pretty sad that I probably can't use them for very much longer... there's only so long the rest of the world will let me milk the Season of Jolly, I'm afraid :\

And so, in the end, I settled on the below recipe, courtesy of cookiedog of Food.com.  They turned out—well, minty fresh—and were so light and refreshing, a perfect end to an otherwise rich and very satisfying meal.

"Holiday Refresher" Mint Julep Cupcakes
a recipe by cookiedog (Food.com)

Cupcake Base - Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon mint extract
2 eggs
1-1/3 cups plus 1 tablespoon flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup Bourbon
1/4 cup creme de menthe

Frosting - Ingredients
1-1/2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon Bourbon
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
Milk

Garnish
Mint sprig (optional)
Sprinkles (optional)

Directions
1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Line the cupcake cups.
2.  In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.
3.  In the mixer bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.  Add the eggs one at a time.  Once the eggs are combined, add the extracts.  Slowly add in half of the flour mixture.  Add the milk and liquors to the batter, then the rest of the flour.  Mix as little as possible, just until the batter comes together.

4.  Divide evenly among the cupcake cups.  Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.  Let cool.

5.  For the Frosting: Whip the butter and shortening.  Slowly add in half the powdered sugar.  Add in the extracts and bourbon.  Add the rest of the powdered sugar.  Then slowly add in milk until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.

6.  Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost and top with mint leaves and sprinkles (optional).