White Russian Cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes

• 18 1/4 ounces yellow cake mix
• 3 1/2 ounces vanilla instant pudding mix
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup Kahlua, plus
• 2 teaspoons Kahlua, divided
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Frosting

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon Kahlua
• 2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate, shavings

Directions

1. 1

   Cupcakes:.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 350°F and line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners.

3. 3

   Place cake mix, pudding mix, oil, milk, eggs, vodka, 1/4 cup Kahlua, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.

4. 4

   Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping down the sides again if needed.

5. 5

   Spoon or scoop 1/3 cup batter into each lined cupcake cup, filling it three quarters of the way full. (Remove empty liners if you don't get the full 24 cupcakes).

6. 6

   Bake until they are golden and spring back when lightly pressed with your finger, about 17-20 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and place them on wire racks.

7. 7

   Cool for 5 minutes. Brush the tops of the cupcakes with remaining 2 tablespoons Kahlua.

8. 8

   Remove cupcakes from pans. Place on wire rack to cool.

9. 9

   Frosting:.

10. 10

    Place a large, clean mixing bowl and electric mixer beaters int he freezer to chill for 1 minute. Remove the bowl and beaters from the freezer.

11. 11

    Pour the heavy cream into the bowl and beat with electric mixer on high speed until the cream has thickened, 1 1/2 minutes.

12. 12

    Stop the machine and add the sugar and 1 tablespoon Kahlua.

13. 13

    Beat the cream on high speed until stiff peaks form, 1-2 more minutes.

14. 14

    Place a heaping tablespoon of the whipped cream on each cupcake and swirl to spread it out with a short metal spatula or spoon, taking care to cover tops completely.

15. 15

    Garnish with chocolate shavings.