RumChata Cupcakes with a RumChata Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (and bonus recipes)

Photo from Just Call Me Maria

Happy St. Patty's Day! Ok so it's not officially St. Patrick's day yet, but I wanted to post this in advance to give you guys enough time to try it for yourselves. It's my favorite time of the year for baking!! I have an excuse to make delicious alcohol-based baked goods without feeling like a closet alcoholic. I may or may not have a propensity for "taste testing" the ingredients while I bake (think of it as Quality Control! LOL). :D

Materials (makes 24 cupcakes):

Rumchata Cupcakes:

~25 drops green food coloring

½	cup butter (1 stick, at room temperature)
1½	cups sugar
2	cups flour
2	tsp baking powder
½	teaspoon salt
1	cup RumChata (plus an extra 2oz shot glass, filled)
1	tsp vanilla extract
1	tsp cinnamon
4	egg whites

RumChata Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting:

This might be more frosting than you need depending on whether or not you slather your cupcakes (and you might, this is addicting), but you can save the rest for the next time you need a pick-me-up. Comfort frosting. No shame.

16oz cream cheese, room temperature

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup heavy cream, cold. Higher the fat content, the better (I'm using 40% Ultra)

5T RumChata (plus an extra 2oz shot glass, filled)

24 Lucky Charms Marshmallows

Photo from Key Ingredient

Instructions:

• Recipe adapted from Key Ingredient. 
• Preheat oven to 350* 
• Combine sugar & butter and beat until fluffy 
• Mix together flour, baking powder, salt & cinnamon, set aside 
• Mix the RumChata, vanilla, and food coloring together, adding drops until desired color is acheived, set aside **SECONDARY METHOD BELOW**
• Alternating, add in the flour mixture and RumChata mixture in to the butter and sugar. Start and end with the flour mixture. 
• In a clean mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form (this will be easiest in an electric mixer) 
• Fold egg whites in to the batter – do not do this in an electric mixer, use a spatula 
• Fill cupcake liners; **If you opted out of having solid green cupcakes you can add a couple of drops to the batter in the liners and swirl with a toothpick.**
• Take a shot
• Bake for 20 minutes

RumChata Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Recipe adapted from Not So Humble Pie 
• Beat the cheese, sugar, food coloring, vanilla, and RumChata until smooth and fluffy. 
• In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream to nearly stiff peaks, then add the whipped cream into the cheese mixture and quickly and briefly beat to combine. Do not over beat.
• If a heavier frosting is desired, add shortening 1T at a time
• Garnish with a Lucky Charm Marshmallow
• Take a shot

Sláinte!!

BONUS RECIPES!

• RumChata not your thing?? Here's a list of 28 alcoholic cupcake recipes to choose from! (WOOT!)
• Want to make a cake instead? Simply divide the batter into 2x 8" pans or a 9x11" pan. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day from my home to yours! Bake responsibly ;)