Bourbon and Coke Cupcakes

As a Kentuckian, I am obligated to be a fan of certain things, one of which is bourbon. As a fat kid, I also am quite a fan of cupcakes. Combine the two, and my Kentucky fat kid heart is as happy as can be.

Bourbon and Coke Cupcakes! 

 

 The recipe I used for this is a combo of three different recipes, with my own little twist on each.

 
 First, for the cupcake, I used my aunt's recipe for Coca-Cola cake, and just made it in cupcake form. The recipe:

2c Flour
2c Sugar
2 sticks butter
3 Tbsp cocoa
1 c Coca-Cola (or Pepsi in my version)
1/2 c buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c mini marshmallows
1 tsp baking soda

Mix flour and sugar. Heat butter, Coke, cocoa, and marshmallows until it boils. Pour over flour and sugar mixture. Mix well. Add buttermilk, eggs, soda,  and vanilla. Beat well. Pour into cupcake liners, bake at 350 for 20ish minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

 

 Once they've cooled, use a piping tip and press and twist it into the center of each cupcake, making a little hole to fill with the dark chocolate bourbon ganache.














Dark Chocolate Bourbon Ganache:

• 12 ounces dark chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 1/4 cup bourbon

1. Place the chocolate in a heat proof bowl and set aside.
2. Heat heavy cream until just boiling.  Pour over chocolate.
3. Cover chocolate and cream for 2 minutes to allow chocolate to soften.  Uncover and stir with whisk until smooth and silky.
4. Stir in butter until fully incorporated.
5. Stir in bourbon until fully incorporated, cool completely.

 When I was making this the first time, a straw fell out of the cabinet and landed on the bowl. Let me tell you, it was soooo hard not to drink the entire bowl. It's that good.  

   

Filling the cupcakes

Finally, top the cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Cheesecake Butter Cream! 

Dark Chocolate Cheesecake Butter Cream

• 12 tbsp butter, at room temp
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa 
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 - 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp Bourbon
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 package cheesecake flavor pudding
• 1/4 cup Dark Chocolate Bourbon Ganache

1. On medium high, cream the butter, cocoa, and salt for 3 minutes.
2. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, bourbon, and vanilla.
3. Mix on low just until incorporated and then beat on medium-high for 2 minutes, until smooth.
4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and stream in the ganache, heavy cream and pudding mix with the mixer running on low.
5. After most of the liquid has mixed in, slowly increase the speed of the mixer to medium high and beat for ~2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
6. Pipe or spread onto cupcakes.

After I iced the cupcakes, I drizzled some of the extra ganache on top and made them look all pretty. So, so yummy! I can't wait to share them!