IRISH CREAM CUPCAKES

Irish Cream Cupcakes image

If you're looking for a grown-up cupcake, give these a try. You'll have a hard time limiting yourself to one! -Jenny Leighty, West Salem, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Irish cream liqueur
FROSTING:
1/3 cup butter, softened
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
6 tablespoons Irish cream liqueur
4 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

Preheat oven 350°. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition., Beat in applesauce and vanilla (mixture may appear curdled). Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with liqueur, beating well after each addition., Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 18-22 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in liqueur. Add confectioners' sugar; beat until smooth. Pipe over tops of cupcakes. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 273 calories, Fat 9g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 170mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (33g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.