Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 vanilla bean
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup bourbon; plus 2 tablespoons more for brushing, optional
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• Pinch fine salt
• 1 teaspoon mint-flavored liqueur, such as creme de menthe
• A few drops pure peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 tablespoons half-and-half
• Brown sanding sugar, for garnish
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Browse by ingredient

Instructions

1. Special equipment: a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip or a resealable plastic bag 12 paper cupcake liners
2. For the vanilla-bourbon cupcakes: Position a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise with a paring knife, and scrape down the length with the back of the knife to remove the seeds. Add the seeds and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer, and beat on medium-high speed for 1 minute. Slowly add the butter, and beat until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. While continuing to beat, add the eggs 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl with a spatula as needed. Add the bourbon, and reduce the mixer speed to medium-low (the mixture will look curdled, but that's OK). Beating after each addition until just combined, add in 1/3 of the flour mixture, 1/2 the milk, 1/2 the remaining flour mixture, the remaining milk, then the remaining flour mixture. Divide the batter evenly among the liners in the prepared tin. Clean the mixer bowl and paddle attachment.
4. Bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes, rotating halfway through. Cool the cupcakes in the tin on a wire rack for 5 minutes. While they are still warm, brush the tops with the remaining 2 tablespoons bourbon if desired. Transfer them to the rack to cool completely.
5. For the minty frosting: Mix the butter, sugar and salt in the bowl of the stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on low speed until the sugar has been incorporated, about 2 minutes. Add the liqueur and peppermint extract, and mix on medium-high until smooth. Add the half-and-half, and beat until incorporated. Refrigerate the frosting for about 15 minutes to firm up.
6. Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes with a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip or a plastic bag with a tip cut off, using all the frosting. Decorate with mint sprigs and sanding sugar.