White Russian Cupcakes with Vodka Buttercream Icing
White Russian cupcakes with vodka buttercream icing are not something to serve at your 5th grader’s birthday party! These are strictly for adults only!
I first saw this white Russian cupcake recipe after we’d visited Cambridge University in England. I was surprised to find it in one of the university’s booklets we had picked up and brought home.
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Since I had pulled the page out and kept it in my recipe book, I have no idea who to credit for the original recipe since there are hundreds of similar recipes online. However, I didn’t like the cake recipe so I changed it completely, and it’s now my own version. EDIT: It ranked as one of my top recipes in 2014!
You may like to look at this buttermilk chocolate cupcake recipe before making these cupcakes as I give a tutorial on decorating/piping.
I hope that it is obvious, but I am still going to say: these are not a good idea for children, or any child’s birthday party, or event.
My sticky toffee pudding has a nice kick to the sticky toffee sauce, too!
There is alcohol in the icing and it is not cooked out, so these are perfect for a 21st birthday party, Valentine’s Day, or any other occasion where adults are celebrating.
White Russian cupcakes with vodka buttercream icing won’t taste nearly as good if you use lower quality ingredients! Thanks to Heilala Vanilla for sending me a sample of their lovely vanilla bean powder.
White Russian Cupcakes with
Vodka Buttercream Icing
Recipe from a Cambridge University booklet makes 24 cupcakes
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- flour
- baking powder
- salt
- butter
- sugar
- eggs
- buttermilk
- vanilla powder or vanilla extract
- vodka
- coffee liqueur
- butter
- powdered sugar
- vodka
- vanilla
- milk
Make the White Russian Cupcakes
Prepare cupcake tins with paper liners. Preheat oven to 350º F (175º C)
Place the sifted flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl; set aside.
In a large bowl (preferably in a stand mixer), cream the butter and sugar, slowly for 2 minutes. Increase to high and beat for another 4 minutes, or until light and fluffy, scraping the bowl occasionally.
Add the 2 of the eggs, one at a time, clearing after each addition, then add half of the flour mixture, scraping the sides with a spatula if needed.
Add half of the buttermilk and mix well, then add another egg. Continue to mix; then add the remaining milk, egg, vanilla, vodka, coffee liqueur and flour. Scrape the bowl with a spatula at least once, and turn off once combined.
Fill the cupcake liners half full with the batter and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean when placed in the center of a cupcake.
Place on cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
Make the Vodka Buttercream Icing
Beat all the ingredients until smooth.
When the cupcakes are cool, cut the tops off if they are too tall. (Optional: sprinkle a little coffee liqueur over each cupcake for an added kick!) You can pipe the icing on the cupcakes or just spread it on, either way tastes just as delicious!
I gave some of these white Russian cupcakes with vodka buttercream icing to a friend. They were packaged in a pretty box, which makes a beautiful presentation.
Just tie some ribbon to add some detail and it’s a marvelous way to brighten someone’s day (and/or give them a good night’s sleep!)
Who knows when I would have discovered these lovely White Russian cupcakes, if it wasn’t for the lovely city of Cambridge?
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White Russian Cupcakes with Vodka Buttercream Icing
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour (good quality)
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter good quality at room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- 4 large eggs (range-free, preferably) at room temperature
- ½ cup buttermilk at room temperature
- ¼ cup vodka
- ¼ cup coffee liqueur such as Kahlua
- 1 tsp vanilla powder like Heilala or 2 tsp vanilla extract
FROSTING:
- 4 oz butter good quality, at room temperature
- 4 cups confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar)
- ¼ cup vodka (good quality vodka makes a difference)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp milk if too stiff, to make a smoother consistency
Instructions
CUPCAKES
- Prepare cupcake tins with paper liners. Preheat oven to 350º F (175º C)
- Place the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl; set aside.
- In a large bowl (preferably in a stand mixer), cream the butter and sugar, slowly for 2 minutes. Increase to high and beat for another 4 minutes, or until light and fluffy, scraping the bowl occasionally.
- Add the 2 of the eggs, one at a time, clearing after each addition, then add half of the flour mixture, scraping the sides with a spatula if needed.
- Add half of the buttermilk and mix well, then add another egg. Continue to mix; then add the remaining milk, egg, vanilla, vodka, Kahlua and flour. Scrape the bowl with a spatula at least once, and turn off once combined.
- Fill the cupcake liners half full with the batter and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean when placed in the center of a cupcake.
- Place on cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
FROSTING
- Meanwhile, make the frosting, by beating all the ingredients until smooth. When the cupcakes are cool, cut the tops off if they are too tall, and frost as desired.
Notes
- Optional: sprinkle a little Kahlua over each cupcake for an added kick!
- You can pipe the frosting on the cupcakes or just spread it on, either way tastes just as delicious!
Nutrition
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Oh how exquiste – your cakes would be beatiful at a wedding:-) Just don”t let the bridesmaids near them! As I’m on phone can’t comment on new site properly so will hang fire on that ome:-)
I didn’t even think of that, but you are so right! These would be a perfect wedding cupcake (or even for a bridal shower)! Thanks, Camilla!
These look gorgeous and so appropriate for a student party with all that booze in them. Lovely work on the frosting.
Yes, I’m sure students all over would LOVE these! haha! Thank you, Janice! :)
How gorgeous are these? I love White Russians, and it’s such a creative idea for cupcakes, makes me want to turn 21 again :)
Haha! You and me, both! We’ll just have a make a batch for ourselves when I get back from Europe! How’s that for a plan? :) CC
These are drop dead gorgeous! Perfect for a special occasion – or for hoarding an entire batch for yourself ;)
You’re not the only one with the latter idea! ;) Thanks, Kimberly!
Ooh yes, I like it. A boozy cupcake has got to be a good idea. Gorgeous photos.
A VERY good idea! :) Thank you so much! CC
Good Morning Christina,
Even though it is morning here, I want to put my finger through the computer screen and lick some of that frosting! These are amazing. What a wonderful recipe! You truly have made it your own. I love all the ingredients especially the Kahlua, which I am a fan of. Your photos are so beautiful, the icing looks so creamy and inviting. Great job, I am going to print the recipe for sure. I still have the recipe for your Butterfly Cupcakes, which I will try soon. Just waiting till I have company to show off your creations. Thank you for sharing these little cakes of goodness. I guess we have to give a shout out to the town of Cambridge for your inspiration. Have a glorious day dear friend…
Dottie :)
Awww…thank you so much, Dottie! Please let me know when you try them and I will be adding the print feature to all my old recipes, slowly but surely! CC
Cocktail Cupcake Party at your house!! These look fantastic and I love that you have to warn me not to give them to my 5th grader! Never fear, I’ll eat them all up before school gets out! ;-)
Luci’s Morsels – fashion. food. frivolity.
Good idea, Luci! I’m not driving! ;)
Christina, I am not a fan of cupcakes, forgive me, but these… well now that’s another story! Exquisite. And I ADORE Heilala Vanilla… I work with them often on Good Things and buy my vanilla beans in bulk via their online store too xo
Thank you, Liz! I’m so happy you’d make an exception for these cupcakes! (Who wouldn’t?) :) They’re definitely not your standard, pink and purple, super sweet and sprinkled children’s version of a mini-cake! Glad to know you love Heilala, too! Have to have good quality products for superior results! Thanks for stopping by! CC