The 135th Kentucky Derby is on the way! Polish up your Mint Julep Making Skills, Make some Mint Julep Cupcakes, Marinate the Shrimp, and get ready ya’ll!
Yield
1 serving
Ingredients
1/4 cup bourbon
1 tablespoon Mint Syrup (Recipe below)
Garnish: fresh mint sprigs
Mint Syrup Recipe
Yield
2 3/4 cups
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped fresh mint
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
Preparation
Tie mint in a cheesecloth bag, and place in a saucepan. Add sugar and 2 cups water; bring mixture to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves.
Remove from heat; cover and let cool. Remove and discard cheesecloth bag.
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Mint Julep Cupcakes
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
4 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup Jack Daniels (or other whiskey/bourbon)
1/2 cup Creme de Menthe
3 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mint extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 stick unsalted butter
meltedmilk
1. Preheat the oven to 350F, and grease or line 36 cupcake cups.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the extracts, salt, baking powder, and 1 3/4 cups of the flour.
3. Add the milk and liquors to the batter, then the rest of the flour. Mix as little as possible, just until the batter comes together.
4. Divide evenly (I use an ice-cream scoop) among the cupcake cups. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let cool.
5. To make the icing, combine the powdered sugar, salt, extracts and melted butter. (I think this works best with a stand mixer with the whip attachment or a hand-held mixer.) Add milk very slowly until the texture is right for piping.
6. When the cupcakes are completely cook, pipe or spread the icing on top and enjoy!
