WHITE RUSSIAN CUPCAKE

White Russian Cupcake image

My friends run something called a Big Lebowski fest every year, which involves sitting around in robes on the carpet, drinking white russians and watching The Big Lebowski on blue-ray. This year I decided to try and concoct a cupcake that tastes like a white russian for it. This is what I came up with.

Provided by Maggie May Schill

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 23

Ingredients

FOR CAKE
1 1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 c sugar
3 c cake flour
1/2 c heavy cream, room temperature
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 c kahlua
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 3oz pack of instant powdered vanilla pudding mix
2 Tbsp baking powder
2 tsp salt
FOR VODKA GLAZE:
1/2 c vodka
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp heavy cream
3/4 c confectioner's sugar
FOR KAHLUA FROSTING
1 1/2 c unsalted butter, room temperature
1 c cream cheese, room temperature
3 1/2 c confecioner's sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 Tbsp kahlua (or to taste)
dark chocolate shavings, garnish

Steps:

1. Pre heat oven to 350'F Line two cupcake pans with cupcake liners. (24 cupcakes total)
2. In a large bowl sift together flour, salt, baking powder and pudding mix. Set aside.
3. In a measuring cup mix vanilla, Kahlua and cream together. Set aside.
4. In another large mixing bowl cream butter and 1 cup of the sugar together.
5. Mix flour mixture into butter/sugar mixture gradually in thirds, alternating with the Kahlua mixture to the bowl in between adding the flour mixture. Starting and ending with the flour mixture. All in all you will add: Flour, Kahlua, Flour, Kahlua, and then Flour. Completely incorporate but do not over mix.
6. In a large mixing bowl beat egg whites slowly, gradually add 3/4 cup of sugar. Beat until it is in soft fluffy peaks, but not stiff and separating.
7. Fold egg white mixture into the cake batter carefully, as not to deflate the egg whites. Pour out into cupcake liners evenly and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a tooth pick comes out clean. Let cool on a wire wrack completely.
8. For Vodka glaze, Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl, adding additional confectioner's sugar as needed to make the glaze as thick as you like. I like it to be thick like paint, but not so thick it can't soak into the cakes. Set aside.
9. For Frosting: Beat butte, cream cheese r and vanilla together. Slowly add confectioner's sugar until completely incorporated. Gradually add Kahlua and whip until completely smooth. Set aside.
10. ASSEMBLY! Once cakes are cooled, poke holes with a toothpick into each cake. Then dip the tops of each cake into the vodka glaze. Frost each cake as desired, and garnish with shaved chocolate if desired.