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Mint Julep Cupcakes

May 2, 2012 by Audra 49 Comments

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 horse, (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- I shot a video making these cupcakes for ABC news! Check it out here! 

Mint Julep Cupcakes

Mint Julep Cupcakes

Yield: 2 dozen cupcakes

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.)


For Frosting:

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.

Mint Julep Cupcakes- perfect for #DerbyDay!

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: Booze, Mint

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Comments

  1. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    May 2, 2012 at 11:18 am

    Yum! These sound so tasty!

    Reply
  2. Lester @ CupcakeIdeasForYou says

    May 2, 2012 at 11:33 am

    These cupcakes looks so good that I don’t want to damage the decoration. With its mint flavor, this cupcakes is perfect refreshment.

    Reply
  3. Abby says

    May 2, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    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.

    Reply
  4. Whitneymardis says

    May 2, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    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!

    Reply
  5. Georgia The Comfort of Cooking says

    May 2, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    What a fabulous idea for cupcakes, Audra! These look so simple yet delicious, and I love your little straw detail! Too cute.

    Reply
  6. Cassie @ Bake Your Day says

    May 2, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    These are too cute and a great way to celebrate the derby…even for those who aren’t big fans (including me!)

    Reply
  7. LuRuSo says

    May 2, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    I’m obsessing over the straws. Too cute!

    Reply
  8. Averie Cooks says

    May 2, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    I would love to drink my dessert. Perfect! And the straws, too cute!

    Reply
  9. Michelle says

    May 3, 2012 at 2:01 am

    LOVE the straw touch!!

    Reply
  10. Samantha says

    May 3, 2012 at 4:25 am

    Anything involving bourbon and big hats is perfect in my book. And I love the straws!

    Reply
  11. Colleen Bauer says

    May 3, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    very cute!

    Reply
  12. Peter Block says

    May 3, 2012 at 1:19 pm

    those look wonderful and you are certainly timely with the mint julip

    Reply
  13. healthyfoodietravels says

    May 3, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    I don’t even like mint, but I love your presentation with the little straw – adorable!

    Reply
  14. Erin says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    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!

    Reply
  15. Tiffany says

    May 4, 2012 at 12:55 am

    What a lovely ode to a southern classic!

    Reply
  16. Bakermomma says

    May 5, 2012 at 3:57 am

    I wish you could bake for me. Need to make a dessert tomorrow. Ugh.

    Reply
  17. OCFoodBlogger says

    May 5, 2012 at 6:49 am

    Such cute cupcakes! I love the cupcake wrappers.

    Reply
  18. Lynn says

    May 6, 2012 at 11:56 pm

    Made these for a Derby Party yesterday. They were the hit of the party!

    Reply
  19. Audra says

    May 10, 2012 at 2:42 am

    Oh yay! I’m so glad you liked them!

    Reply
  20. jennie says

    May 8, 2013 at 9:32 am

    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!

    Reply
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    June 23, 2013 at 5:39 pm

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  22. JennyP says

    April 12, 2014 at 9:09 pm

    I made these last year and this year for our local steeplechase. They are phenomenal! This year I used all vanilla in the cupcake recipe instead of mint extract, but left the mint in the icing. I think they came out better this way – the mint was a tad overwhelming (for me) in the cake last year. The brushed bourbon on top of the cupcake adds such a great dimension, and the icing is sooooo good, even on it’s own! I used heavy cream in the icing and added a pinch of salt to cut down the sweetness of the powdered sugar. Thanks, Audra, for one the most requested cupcake recipes I’ve ever made!

    Reply
  23. Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky says

    December 25, 2017 at 8:55 am

    I am obsessed with desserts! Definitely mint julep cupcakes will be yummy! I’m seriously so inspired right now. I need to add honey instead of sugar to recipe and it would be perfect. Thx for sharing Audra!

    Reply
  24. Bella Hardy @ Healthnerdy says

    June 22, 2018 at 8:09 am

    Wow! This is gorgeous. I bet they would be scrumptious mint julep cupcakes amazing for kids. Will definitely try this for my son. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  25. Robin Hamilton @Wellness Wires says

    October 1, 2018 at 6:52 am

    Absolutely love your creative idea with mint julep cupcakes! Can I post it on my blog? Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Audra says

      October 1, 2018 at 11:44 am

      Sure you can share the recipe with credit or the photo with a link, but not both please :)

      Reply
  26. taylor johnson @tayloright says

    April 26, 2019 at 12:59 pm

    Audra, your mint julep cupcakes look so festive! Thanks!

    Reply
  27. Veronica says

    August 5, 2019 at 6:38 am

    Now this is a recipe I thoroughly enjoyed, the bourbon and mint complement each other quite nicely.

    Reply
  28. Supplement Crunch says

    September 7, 2019 at 1:24 am

    Your Mint julep cupcakes is goodness….

    Reply
  29. Edward @Male Guide Reviews says

    November 9, 2019 at 12:33 am

    i love this .i will try made it.i mint julep cupcakes love.thanks for this post

    Reply
  30. Paul @ Diet Blog Pro says

    November 13, 2019 at 10:58 pm

    it is very yummy. i love this recipe.

    Reply
  31. Edward @Male Guide Reviews says

    December 5, 2019 at 1:00 am

    I love mint julep cupcakes.its looking yummy and Alluring.i made it on my friend birthday.All friends liked it,

    Reply

Trackbacks

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