White Russian Cupcakes

The Dude would like these.

I have wanted to make these cupcakes since last May and have been waiting on an occasion. Boy am I glad that I finally had a chance to make them. The cupcake is made with both vodka and Kahlua and is then topped with a Kahlua buttercream. I served them on NYE and they were a huge hit. I am going to be honest with you, you could have put the buttercream on a shoe and I would have told you it was delicious. The cupcake was tasty on its own, but it was the buttercream that put it over the top. Now before you decide that you don't want to make this buttercream because it has alcohol in it and none of it will be baked off, I want to point out something. Kahlua is 20% alcohol by volume, vanilla extract is 35% alcohol by volume. Just wanted to point that out. I really do hope you try this recipe because it is amazing!

White Russian Cupcakes

cupcake recipe adapted from How to Eat a Cupcake, Buttercream recipe from Baked Perfection

makes 12 cupcakes

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup sugar

6 tablespoons butter, softened

1 large egg and 1 egg white

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup milk

1/8 cup Vodka

1/4 cup Kahlua, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a seperate bowl or in a stand mixer, beat together the sugar and butter until combined. Add egg and egg white, one at a time. Then add the vanilla, Vodka, and 1/8 cup of Kahlua. Gradually add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions, ending with the flour mixture.

Bake 17 -20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a cupcakes comes out clean. While the cupcakes are still warm, brush the tops with the remaining 1/8 cup Kahlua. Remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Kahlua Buttercream

recipe from Baked Perfection

1 stick of butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar

pinch of salt

3 - 4 tablespoons Kahlua

Beat butter until creamy. Add salt. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating until combined. Add Kahlua 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach desired consistency.