Moscow Mule Cupcakes - Happy Hump Day




In my first post of Forking Up, I made a savory dish

Now, it's mid-week, and I need a drink.

Confession: I like booze. Other confession: I like sweets. Final confession: my New Year's Resolution was to cut down on both of these things.

Oops.



But what better way to fracture* a New Year's Resolution than with a kick-ass cupcake? Moscow Mules are one of my favorites--even if ordering one at the bar requires me to hand over my ID so they can get those pretty copper cups back.

Does anyone else have drunken kleptomania, or is it just me? Thankfully mine is restricted to bar glass, but still...




A Moscow mule is a simple drink: ginger beer, vodka, lime, and sometimes a tiny dash of mint. In cupcake form, it takes the flavors of a punch of ginger, with a fluffy lime frosting. The results are unique and delicious and perfect for a cupcake.




Trust me, it's worth breaking resolutions for.

*I say fracture, not break, because I just said "less" not "any" and this is one tiny tiny batch of boozy cupcakes... right?

Moscow Mule Cupcake
(I referenced this recipe from Wonky Wonderful for alcohol ratio)

  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp powdered ginger
  • 1 tsp apple pie spice blend (cinnamon + cardamom + ginger)
  • 1 tbsp molasses
  • 1 tsp vanilla (bourbon vanilla is preferred)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp plain or vanilla yogurt
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp vodka (I used Absolut Orient Apple)
  • 1/2 cup crystalized ginger, chopped

Lime Buttercream

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp lime zest
  • 4+ cups powdered/confectioner's sugar


  1. Preheat oven to 350° and prepare the cupcake tin (this recipe required me to have one full 12-cupcake tin and one 6-cupcake tin) by lining or greasing the wells.
  2. Whisk together the flour, salt, powdered ginger, apple pie spice, and baking powder.
  3. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or using your own sheer strength) cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the molasses.
  4. Add the eggs one by one, then the yogurt, vanilla, and vodka, mixing until each is incorporated.
  5. In thirds, add the flour mixture and mix until smooth.
  6. Fill cupcake wells 2/3rds full. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
  7. While cupcakes are baking, prepare the frosting: In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment (or, again, elbow grease!) whip the butter. Add the zest.
  8. Begin adding the confectioners sugar. When the frosting is nearly too thick to mix, slowly add the lime juice. Continue adding lime juice and sugar until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  9. Fill a frosting bag with the frosting, fitted with the tip of your choice. Add frosting in a swirl motion to cooled cupcakes. Serve with a mint leaf.

Comments

  1. Love that you made a cupcake based on a Moscow Mule. I am going to love them.

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  2. I like booze, too, Ashley, and I like it in my foods. These cupcakes are a great idea! Have you ever tried a boozy hit in the frosting?

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    1. I have! I just figured the booze taste was secondary to these, so I didn't want it to be TOO apparent.

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  3. Glad I didn't make the same resolutions as you did - so I can enjoy these cupcakes with no guilt at all! They are gorgeous and I'm a fiend for ginger, so ...

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  4. Well technically, in a round about way you are cutting down because you combined the booze w the sweets so it's only 1 splurge instead of two...... love.

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  5. Bwahaha, I just posted the same thing about breaking my resolutions this week. But, hey, I'd break my resolutions for these cupcakes! I'm a sucker for sweets.

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    1. I actually only had one, then I gave them to coworkers :D

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  6. I love moscow mules! I am doing a Whole30 right now but these cupcakes are seriously making me rethink my life choices!

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    1. Stay strong, girl! I only lasted two weeks last time I tried... but I actually have a killer paleo cupcake recipe (sounds like an oxymoron) if you really need it :)

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  7. These are so fun. What did you serve along side? A real drink?

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  8. These cupcakes are gorgeous!! They sound amazing and I love the idea of that lime buttercream :)

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  9. Those look amazing & lime buttercream? Brilliant!

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  10. You have crystallized ginger listed on the ingredients but I can't find where it is used in the recipe?

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  11. I really like your cooking style. i will try this out coming weekend.

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