Spiced Rum Cupcakes with Boozy Buttercream
I think offering up a boozy treat on Fridays should be a tradition. Last week it was Apple Cider Sangria. This week I put like half a bottle of rum into some cupcakes.
I mean, the week is long.
Take a break.
I think I would like to take a break except I keep acquiring little creatures to take care of. There is Norma Jean, who is actually the most low maintenance out of everyone except for the fact that she steals my water glass at least once a day. Little Lucy Girl has a major breakdown every time I leave the house. She is a freaker-outer. Gidget thinks she needs to sleep right in my face every night and while she's really cute and snuggly, it kind of keeps me awake.
In the last week or so though, my really [un]cool neighbors seem to have acquired some more pets they can't take care of. One kitty and two more kittens that have figured out I'm a super nice bleeding heart so while I'm sitting here working they climb up on my chairs out on the porch and peek in the window at me.
Nothing like three little kitty faces peeking in your windows to distract you.
Of course they're hungry.
And of course I feed them.
And of course Lucy does back flips and acts like she has never ever seen a cat before whenever we go outside. It's all very exciting.
Also exciting: This month's Spiked Recipe Challenge! These cupcakes are my entry. I should win, right? Just agree.
These soft little buttery cupcakes are loaded with spiced rum -- The Kracken Black Spiced Rum to be specific. I am totally seduced by cool labels. But the lady at the liquor store also recommended it for the strong spiced flavor. She was right! It's delicious. I took it a step further and boozed up the buttercream which was a really great idea so I'll be doing that again. Butter. Sugar. Rum. YES.
Make these cupcakes and have a great weekend!
- For the Cupcakes:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons + ½ cup oil, divided
- 1¾ cups all purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- ¾ cup spiced rum (I used The Kracken Black Spiced Rum)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- For the Boozy Buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons spiced rum
- ¼ cup sweetened flaked coconut to garnish
- Preheat the oven to 325. Line a standard muffin pan with paper liners.
- In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the 3 tablespoons of oil and beat until it's combined.
- Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, kosher salt, and instant vanilla pudding to the bowl. Beat -- the mixture will form coarse buttery crumbs.
- Crack the eggs into a medium bowl and whisk them lightly to break the yolks. Add the remaining ½ cup oil, milk, rum, and vanilla.
- Whisk to combine and then add the wet ingredients to the dry. Beat until smooth.
- Portion the batter into the prepared muffin cups. I use a ¼ cup measure and fill them mostly full -- about ¾ of the way.
- Bake for 18 - 20 minutes or until a pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cupcakes cool before frosting.
- To make the frosting whip the butter with a whisk attachment. Add the powdered sugar a cup at a time. After 3 cups add the cinnamon and salt. Beat to combine. Add the last 2 cups of frosting and the rum. If you like a thinner frosting add more rum. (**see note**).
- To toast the coconut scatter the sweetened flaked across a baking sheet and place it in the preheated oven after you take out the cupcakes. It only needs 3-5 minutes max. Watch it closely and remove it as soon as some of the coconut is golden.
- Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle each with a little toasted coconut.
Cupcakes are adapted from this Rum Cake Recipe at Always Order Dessert
The best cupcake I’ve ever put in my mouth! I made mini cupcakes and brought them to choir rehearsal. They were fighting over the last ones and some were taking some home to their spouses… makes me wonder what other gems you have here. I will be baking a lot it seems!
Ahhh this is so nice to hear! This recipe is OLD but it's a solid favorite. Glad you all enjoyed!
Love the recipe! 2 questions - will it work the same if I sub SR flour for flour, salt and bp? Also what if I don't have the instant pudding, can I leave it out?
This was so good. I brought a batch to a cookout and they were gone in no time, everyone was raving about them. I kind of wanted to see what this would be like if I made a cake with it. Do you think I would just have to adjust the time that it cooks in the eight or 9 inch pans?
Hi Ashley! This is on my list of things to test but I've not actually tried it! Baking time will definitely vary with a cake pan. So glad you enjoyed these!
@Ashley, It is the same recipe that I use for Rum Cake. Yes the time is increased to about 1 hour. I make mine in a bundt pan.
I love these cupcakes they are a hit every time I make them . I wanted to make a smaller batch maybe about only 12 cupcakes because this recipe always leave me with a little more over 24 cupcakes.. would you recommend just using half of the whole recipe or how would I go about making a smaller batch?
Yes - I would try halving the recipe, though sometimes with baking that can send things off in the wrong direction, so definitely TEST it first before you are going to need to serve them!
Heather~
These are AMAZING!!! I agree the Kracken Black Spiced Rum is the best!!! This recipe is a family favorite and frequently requested, especially during the Holiday Season. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Thank you so much Sheila! I am so glad you love this as much as we do! This is a fave going way back. Thanks for taking the time to let me know!
If I wanted to make this into a cake instead of cupcakes any idea how long you'd cook the batter in round pans instead?
This recipe was a hit!!! I made these for a Halloween party for adults and they loved it!!! I did add a little more spiced rum in the buttercream icing then what your recipe asked for. Thanks for sharing ?
Thank you, Jan!
Monique that’s an awesome idea and I think I’m going to try that and then maybe roll them in brown sugar to take a little of the bite off from the liquor. I just popped these babies in the over for the first time and I’m so excited to try them ?
And hello Karen-
Have you ever used a misting bottle to spray your cupcakes with rum before icing? I’m getting ready to do just that and fingers crossed it works!
Monique
Hello Heather! I just found your website and I love it. We have Friday Fun Days at work and alternate bringing in a dessert made with booze. (Shhh...don't tell) I am going to make your Spiced Rum Cupcakes with Boozy Buttercream icing for this week, but have one question. Does the icing need to be refrigerated? Just need to know how to "pack and store" them until time to eat. Will definitely follow to see what else you come up with. Thank you so much
Hi Karen! I love your workplace! Sounds like fun.
The icing should be refrigerated for storage, but if you are making the night before and then refrigerating, they should be fine for most of the day (as long as your office is climate controlled). I always like buttercream the best when it's soft and not hard from the fridge. Hope you enjoy!! -Heather
Amazing cupcakes!! So yummy! One of my favorite now!
These look so amazing. I am making them for a retirement party coming up. Have you ever made them in advance? And, if so, did they hold up well in the fridge overnight? Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.
Hi Ashley! They are perfect overnight in the fridge! No worries and enjoy! This remains one of my all-time most popular recipes!
Which pipe tip did you use for the frosting? Never iced a cake in my life, but would love for my cupcakes to look like yours.
Hi Ava!! I am NO PRO at cupcake decorating! For these I used an open star tip - one of the larger sizes like Ateco 843. If you have a craft store near you, then you should be able to find most of the decorator tips and piping bags. Here is a post + video from a food blogger friend; she does an AMAZING job of breaking down the steps! http://www.handletheheat.com/video-decorating-cupcakes/
Thank you for responding so quickly, and for sharing your recipe with the world... very nummy 🙂
I made this recipe. It makes 2-3 dozen. I used regular rum and added spices. We gave these as end-of-the-year gifts. Everyone said they were the best cupcakes ever! Thanks so much for this wonderful recipe. I will continue to use it for years to come!
That's so great to hear Dana! So glad you liked them! Thanks for reading!
I made these for my husband and his 50 Marines. They loved them! My husband said they were all gone and he had to regulate how many people got. Requested I make them again soon. Thank you.
Oh that's great!!! So glad they were a hit. Thanks for the feedback Lindsay!