Mojito Cupcakes

Congratulations to the NCL Fellows Class of 2008! To celebrate our last Wednesday night together we had a fiesta and I wanted to make something a little different to mark the occasion. Since we are big fans of the mojito, I modified last summer’s margarita cake into a mojito cupcake. They were yummy and would be perfect at a hot summer BBQ.

Ingredients:

White Cake mix (not yellow or butter recipe, just white or french-vanilla white)
1 can margarita mix (thawed)
1/8 cup dark rum OR a splash of rum extract
Peppermint extract
Zest of one lime (optional, but recommended)
Fresh mint leaves
Vanilla frosting (whipped cream frosting is best)

Recipe:

Start with boxed white cake mix. Add the eggs and oil as instructed, but instead of water mix the rum/rum extract with the melted can of margarita mix to make up the liquid amount indicated on the box. Top off the liquid with a splash of mint extract and the zest of one lime.

Bake as directed and top with a dollop and whipped cream frosting and a fresh mint leaf.

Cake Details:

• Cupcakes: Mojito
• Icing: Whipped vanilla frosting (yes, really, it was off the shelf)
• Decorations: Mint leaves