Eggnog Cupcakes and Ugly Christmas Sweater Invites

{photo via Annie's Eats}

Friday's show was quite interesting...

Not only did I make these (well, not those exact cupcakes up there, but some that look remarkably close to those since I managed to forget my camera at home) yummy cupcakes for my cupcake segment on ciLiving, I also somehow agreed to start the show with no make-up and no hair done in order to get a holiday make-over from one of our guests.  Not sure I'd agree to do that again... no make up was a scary look with those lights shining down on me!  YiKeS!

But, I found this recipe on pinterest and thought they sounded pretty holiday'ish and yummy.  I'm not an eggnog fan, but my dad and brother look forward to eggnog being in the stores every season and can guzzle that stuff down (the non-alcoholic stuff) so I made these with them in mind.  They turned out great, the batter is pretty thin and runny, but don't let that scare you... they were good, and the frosting is just as de-lish!  We don't drink at our house, but I did use the rum called for in the recipe in these cupcakes and thought they turned out great.  Thanks to Annie's Eats for the amazing recipe, which I'll share at the end of this post.

Now, where would the perfect place be to serve eggnog and eggnog cupcakes?  Why, at an Ugly Christmas Sweater party... where else?  So, here I am on the show with a big ol' hair-do and a face full of holiday party make-up... and I bust out my ugly Christmas sweater!  Very funny.  Just had to pre-face that in case you choose to watch the clip of my segment on the show which you can view HERE.

I found the PERFECT ugly sweater invites on pinterest from j&paper.  Jessica has such cute invites and she graciously made me one for the show...

 

You should totally go and like her on facebook HERE 

and check out her etsy site HERE.  Super cute stuff!

Thank you so much, Jessica! 

So, anyone hosting any fun parties coming up? 

Eggnog Cupcakes:

Recipe via Annie's Eats

Yield: about 18-20 cupcakes

For the cupcakes:

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

¼ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. freshly ground nutmeg

¼ cup dark rum or bourbon (optional)

1 cup eggnog

¼ cup vegetable or canola oil

1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup sugar

For the frosting:

20 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature

2½ cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Pinch of salt

Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

2½ tbsp. eggnog

1 tbsp. dark rum (0ptional)

For garnish:

Ground cinnamon or grated nutmeg

Cinnamon sticks

Directions:

To make the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 350˚ F.  Line cupcake pans with paper liners.  In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and nutmeg; whisk to combine.  In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the rum, eggnog, vegetable oil, vinegar, and sugar.  Beat on medium-low speed until well blended.  Add in the dry ingredients and mix on low speed just until incorporated.  

Divide the batter between the prepared cupcake liners, filling the cups 2/3 full.  Bake 22-24 minutes (mine only needed to bake for 16-17 minutes), or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Allow to cool in the pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting, place the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.  Beat on medium-high speed until smooth, 20-30 seconds.  Add in the powdered sugar, salt and nutmeg, and mix on medium-high speed until incorporated and smooth, about 1 minute.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl.  Add in the eggnog and  whip on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 4 minutes.  With the mixer on medium-low speed, blend in the rum.  

Fill a pastry bag with the frosting and decorate the cooled cupcakes as desired.  Sprinkle with ground cinnamon or grated nutmeg, and garnish with cinnamon sticks if desired.