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Creamy Mint Julep Cupcakes with Bourbon Buttercream Frosting

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These creamy mint julep cupcakes combine fresh mint and bourbon in a moist cake topped with a silky bourbon buttercream frosting. Perfect for gatherings, they offer a unique Southern-inspired treat that’s easy to make and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp bourbon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • For the Bourbon Buttercream Frosting:
  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (375g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tbsp bourbon
  • 2–3 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 tsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners or lightly grease each cup.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy and pale, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  5. Stir in bourbon, vanilla extract, and finely chopped fresh mint.
  6. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Fold gently until just combined.
  7. Spoon batter evenly into cupcake cups, filling about two-thirds full.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. For the frosting, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed to avoid dust clouds.
  10. Add bourbon and heavy cream, beating until light and fluffy. Adjust cream for desired consistency.
  11. Frost cooled cupcakes with bourbon buttercream. Garnish with a pinch of finely chopped fresh mint or a small mint leaf.

Notes

Use fresh mint for best flavor; fold batter gently to avoid toughness; let batter rest 5 minutes before baking; adjust bourbon and cream in frosting for consistency; refrigerate frosting if too soft; store cupcakes refrigerated up to 3 days or freeze unfrosted up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: mint julep cupcakes, bourbon cupcakes, bourbon buttercream frosting, Southern desserts, mint cupcakes, Kentucky Derby dessert

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/creamy-mint-julep-cupcakes-recipe-with-bourbon-buttercream-frosting-easy-and-perfect/