I wanted to create another seasonal cupcake since the hot chocolate cupcakes proved to be a hit.  I brainstormed ideas and concluded that I am minted, chocolated, and peanut-buttered out. 

I know. 

I never thought I’d see the day.

I needed something “fresh,” and decided to go with a coffee flavor, which quickly sparked the idea of a latte flavor, and finally evolved into an eggnog latte flavor, inspired by a different eggnog muffin recipe I had intended to make originally.  The eggnog latte cupcake recipe won out in the end, because cupcakes > muffins (hello frosting!) and this recipe included booze.

Don’t mind if I do. 

But, as with all ideas that I seem to think I invent lately, I wasn’t so unique in my thinking.  The first recipe I followed resulted in a major baking fail!  The ingredient measurements seemed off as I was making it, and the batter was too liquid-y.  I worried as I shoved them into the oven, but I poured a glass of wine and retreated to the couch to kick off my four-day weekend.

20 minutes and a glass of Pinot later, I had an oven full of rum volcanoes.  I cursed myself for not following my gut when I assumed that the batter was too wet.  Bits of cupcake covered the bottom of my oven, and the cupcakes had caved in and were filled with… rum soup.

Add that to the list of foods I never want to try. 

Did I mention we were out of trash bags?

Mmmhmm.

Needless to say, Lloyd was not pleased.  

He is used to my baking fails and messes by now.  He barely bats an eyelash.  He doesn’t even leave his game of computer solitaire move from the couch when I start cursing in the kitchen.  The lack of trash bags proved to be a new challenge: how was I going to get rid of this disaster?  Because obviously I needed to IMMEDIATELY re-make another batch of cupcakes, and I needed those damn pans. 

After finally joining my in the kitchen to torture see for himself what the mess looked like, he suggested that I wait until the volcanoes cooled and hopefully hardened overnight.  He convinced me to wait until the morning to make another mess start over. 

He is so wise.  I don’t know what I’d do without him.  Unfortunately, I think he has a lot of ideas as far as what he’d do without me. 

How excited do you think I was when I woke up early on Friday to try again, and saw that one of my favorite bloggers had just posted a recipe for eggnog cupcakes?

Eggnog Cupcakes

Original recipe here

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
¼ cup dark rum or bourbon (optional)
1 cup eggnog
¼ cup vegetable or canola oil
1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup sugar

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.  Line cupcake pans with paper liners.  In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and nutmeg; whisk to combine.  In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the rum, eggnog, vanilla, vegetable oil, vinegar, and sugar.  Beat on medium-low speed until well blended.  Add in the dry ingredients and mix on low speed just until incorporated.
2. Divide the batter between the prepared cupcake liners, filling the cups 2/3 full.  Bake 22-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Allow to cool in the pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Eggnog Latte Frosting

Adapted from this recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup chilled whipping cream
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 1/2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
• 2-3 cups confectioner’s sugar

Directions

1. Whip up whipping cream in mixer until soft peaks begin to form.
2. Fold in cream cheese.
3. While mixing over low speed, slowly add the coffee granules and confectioner’s sugar, one cup at a time, being careful not to over whip frosting.

Git yer ‘nog!

Confession #1: I’ve never tried eggnog!

Confession #2: I never tried these cupcakes!

Do you not remember my aversion to creamy, white things? (TWSS!)

I didn’t even have them taste-tested by Lloyd before bringing them to the party, because he was at work. 

Risky move, Batman.

I knew they looked festive and pretty.  I am totally vain, and cared more about the appearance than the taste. 

I needed good pictures to show you!

I had saved half of them and put Lloyd to the test after the fact.  I let out a sigh of relief when he gave me the thumbs up.  Although, he could have just not wanted me to try making them for a third time. 

I told you he was wise.