Creme de Menthe Cupcakes

We use creme de menthe, a liqueur that means “mint cream” in French, to add a cool touch to these impressive mascarpone-frosted cupcakes.

Creme de Menthe Cupcakes

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TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. Bake: 15 min. + cooling
YIELD: 1 dozen.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
  • 1-1/2 cups cake flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup 2% milk
  • 2 tablespoons white (clear) creme de menthe
  • Green paste food coloring

  • FROSTING:
  • 1 carton (8 ounces) mascarpone cheese
  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 4 teaspoons white (clear) creme de menthe
  • Green paste food coloring

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add mint extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk and creme de menthe, beating well after each addition. Transfer 2 cups batter to a separate bowl. Mix food coloring paste into remaining batter.
  • 2. Cut a small hole in the tip of a pastry bag; insert a #12 round tip. Spoon the batters alternately into bag. Pipe batter into 12 paper-lined muffin cups until three-fourths full. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • 3. For frosting, stir the mascarpone and whipping cream together until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar and creme de menthe; stir until blended. Transfer half the frosting to a separate bowl and mix food coloring paste into remaining frosting. Stir each portion vigorously until stiff peaks form (do not overmix).
  • 4. Cut a small hole in the tip of a pastry bag; insert a #12 round tip. Spoon the frostings alternately into the bag. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts

1 cupcake: 372 calories, 24g fat (14g saturated fat), 95mg cholesterol, 222mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.