Sparkling Spiked Eggnog Ganache Cupcakes

I was so happy when my husband offered to put up our Christmas tree this year. With all the baking and book-writing going on, I simply didn’t have the time or inspiration to spare. He’s a pretty creative guy (in a software developer kind of way), so I was excited to see what kind of tree-decorating magic he could work.

When he called me over to see his design, I was amazed at how beautifully woodsy and natural the tree looked. As I studied the tree in greater detail, I noticed some things were missing. Then I noticed a box set aside, and therein was every sparkly ornament I’d ever bought.

“What about these?” I picked two sequined birds from the box.

“Nope.” he said.

“They’re woodsy!” I argued, which garnered an eye roll.

I held up a glittered pear. He shook his head.

The good news is, I didn’t even feel like sulking about the lack of sparkle because the tree was undeniably beautiful – and I didn’t have to lift a finger!  Anyway, I’ve more than made up for the lack of holiday glitz with these sparkly,spiked eggnog cupcakes.

The cakes have a shot of rum in the batter, and if you have concerns about serving them to children, feel free to omit it. But like most boozy cakes, the alcohol bakes out only leaving behind nuances of flavor. The buttercream frosting is made from an eggnog ganache (white chocolate + eggnog = eggnog ganache!) and it gets whipped with butter and confectioners’ sugar for a creamy, decadent cupcake covering. Grate a little fresh nutmeg over each mound of frosting and you’ve got Christmas in a cupcake!

If you’re wondering about the sparkling deer, I gave these guys a makeover with silver acrylic paint. While the paint was still wet I dipped them in regular ol’ glitter from the craft drawer. The pink metallic cupcake liners are available here.

Spiked Eggnog Ganache Cupcakes

[click for printable version]

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Source: cake recipe adapted from Intoxicated Cupcakes with Sprinkle Bakes original frosting

Prep: 55 minutes; total time about 3 hours

Cupcakes

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 tablespoons dark rum

3/4 cup commercially prepared eggnog

1 1/2 cups cake flour

1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting

8 oz. quality white chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup commercially prepared eggnog

1/2 cup/ 113g unsalted butter, softened

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Freshly grated nutmeg

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners. Set aside.
  2. Combine the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Mix with an electric mixer on medium-high speed and beat until creamy. Add the egg, and once beaten smooth, add the rum and eggnog.
  3. Turn off the mixer and add the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix together on low speed until well combined. Place batter in the paper liners by the level 1/4 cup. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick tester comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, or until cool enough to handle. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  4. For the frosting, combine the chocolate and eggnog in a small saucepan. Place over medium-low heat until mixture can be stirred smooth. Transfer ganache to a bowl and let cool completely in the refrigerator, about 1-2 hours. When ganache is cool (it won’t set completely like normal ganache, rather, it will be a bit soft and runny) place it in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add softened butter and beat briefly at high speed. Add confectioners sugar 1 cup at a time. Beat on high speed again until fluffy and mixture is lightened in color.
  5. Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Grate fresh nutmeg over each cupcake; serve. Store in an air-tight cupcake caddy or covered in plastic wrap. 

Tips:

  • My cake batter was very thick. I think this was due to the brand of prepared eggnog I used. I added 2 tablespoons of milk to loosen the batter and it baked up perfectly. 
  • If the frosting is too loose to pipe and hold its shape, place it in the refrigerator for a little while to firm; re-whip with a hand mixer and then transfer to a piping bag.
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Nick (Macheesmo)
Nick (Macheesmo)
10 years ago

You had me at "spiked". Looks delicious!

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
10 years ago

Divine and so festive!

Cheers,

Rosa

Cookbook Queen
Cookbook Queen
10 years ago

I am DYINGGGGGG over those toppers. You have SUCH an eye. And the cupcakes — totally swoon worthy!!

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

These are my kind of Christmas decorations. Nothing like sparkles to lighten up the mood!

Erin
Erin
10 years ago

Love how you topped these.

primrosesattic
primrosesattic
10 years ago

Love the cakes and the toppers, very festive. My husband brought the tree in the house, but I had to decorate it.
Rosezeeta.

PR
PR
10 years ago

These cupcakes make the holidays officially official! Deck the halls! Yum!

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

Man this just puts me in the holiday spirit. I would love to see a picture of the tree!

White Feather
White Feather
10 years ago

Wow. Our Christmas desserts are already decided, but this looks like New Years Eve to me. Can't wait to try them. Rum? Eggnog? Winner! I'm thinking of just a few silver dragees sprinkled on each one for my sparkle.

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
10 years ago

These are seriously dreamy!! Loving this flavour!

Tracy | Pale Yellow
Tracy | Pale Yellow
10 years ago

Yay sparkles!! So pretty! I love eggnog and these eggnog cupcakes look lovely!

Jenny (VintageSugarcube)
Jenny (VintageSugarcube)
10 years ago

Those are fabulous! My boyfriend's last name means deer, so I'm always looking for something unusual for him or his parents. Just ordered those deer.

Tieghan
Tieghan
10 years ago

No sparkly ornaments?!? Oh man!

The cupcakes are gorgeous and so fun!! Love those sparkly dear!

Amy
Amy
10 years ago

Your husband is so sweet to put up the tree for you! Every year, my family gets a little lazier with our tree decorating. It always has colored lights and the Santa Claus on top, but last year we put on less than 15 ornaments — 1 my parents bought on their honeymoon, 1 we bought on vacation, and the rest were little silver reindeer my mom bought from Target that December!

So happy you added sparkles to your cupcakes; they'd brighten anyone's holiday season!

Colette (Coco)
Colette (Coco)
10 years ago

Your glittery deer add such a sweet sparkle to these cupcakes.
Love them!

Robin
Robin
10 years ago

would have loved to see a picture of your non sparkly tree!

Median vahtikoira
Median vahtikoira
10 years ago

Oh, these look yummy! Very pretty, too!

Gina
Gina
10 years ago

I was wondering about those deer. Great idea that i think I'll steal for some trees I have. Thanks!

Amanda
Amanda
10 years ago

Love these! Do you think these could be done as a mini cupcake too?

Grandbabycakes
Grandbabycakes
10 years ago

These are seriously so gorgeous!!

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

These look so beautiful! I was wondering why you mentioned the need to use commercial eggnog? We don't have any (good) eggnog here in the Netherlands, so I'd have to make it at home.

White Feather
White Feather
10 years ago

I made these for our New Years Eve gathering and they were quite the hit! Thank you!