And They're OFF!

While I will sitting in the baseball bleachers watching the mini's back to back baseball games and not attending Derby Day this Saturday, a good friend of mine will. She is from Lexington and all about the gorgeous dress and big hat for this annual event. Maybe if I beg enough, she'll let me post some pictures, but no promises on this one, girls.


Still wanting to get into the spirit, I've decided the least I can do is make these delicious treats, clearly worthy of the winners circle themselves.

MINT JULEP CUPCAKES
{adapted from Cooking and Booking}

Ingredients:
Cupcakes
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,
meltedmilk

Instructions:
Cupcakes
1) Preheat the oven to 350º F, and grease or line 30 cupcake cups.
2) Combine salt, baking powder, and 1 3/4 cups of the flour.
3) Beat butter, sugar, eggs, and extracts in a large mixing bowl until creamy.
4) Gradually beat in the flour mixture.
5) Add the milk and liquors to the batter, then the rest of the flour (1 cup).
6) Mix as little as possible, just until the batter comes together.
7) Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake cups.
8) Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let cool.

Icing
1) Combine the powdered sugar, salt, extracts and melted butter and beat until creamy.
2) Gradually add milk until the texture is right for piping.
3) When the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the icing on top.
4) Garnish with cake sparkles or sprinkles, a straw (trimmed to size), and mint leaves.

photo & source: hostessblog.com