Dark Chocolate Jack Daniels Cupcakes

These cupcakes were made today for his birthday "get together"..If that's what you'd like to call it?

His favorite hard liquor is Jack Daniels so of course I thought this would be perfect as well! He's so easy to please! haha

Now, keep in mind these were for my father-in-laws birthday so the garnash is a dark chocolate 50. You can garnash it however you'd like!

Chocolate J.D. Cupcakes

2 Cups (10 ounces) all purpose flour

3/4 cup (3.75 ounces) coco powder

2 cups (14.5 ounces) granulated sugar

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. kosher salt

2 eggs

1/2 cup super strong coffee

1/2 cup Jack Daniels Whiskey

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a large bowl, stir the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

3. In separate bowl (I use a 4 or 8 cup measuring vessel) combine the eggs, coffee, whiskey, buttermilk and oil.

4. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and whisk until smooth.

5. Spoon the mixture into prepared cupcake cups. I only fill half full and they come right up to the top.

6. Bake in preheated oven about 18-20 minutes until the tops spring back when lightly pressed.

Cool completely.

Dark Chocolate Whiskey Ganache

16 ounces good quality dark chocolate,chopped into small pieces 1/4 inch or less.

3/4 cup heavy cream

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup Jack Daniels Whiskey

Directions:

1. Place the chocolate in a heat proof bowl and set aside.

2. Heat heavy cream until just boiling. Pour over chocolate.

3. Cover chocolate and cream for 2 minutes to allow chocolate to soften. Uncover and stir with whisk until smooth and silky.

4. Stir in butter until fully incorporated.

5. Stir in whiskey until fully incorporated, cool completely.

Dark Chocolate Whiskey Buttercream

1 lb. unsalted butter, softened

1- 3 ounce package white chocolate, vanilla or cheesecake instant pudding mix

2 cups Dark Chocolate Whiskey ganache

1/2 cup sifted dark cocoa powder

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

more whiskey to taste

Directions:

1. In stand mixer beat the butter and pudding mix together on medium high speed for 5 minutes or so.

2. Turn off, add the ganache, cocoa powder and heavy cream. Beat for another 5 minutes.

3. Add powdered sugar a little bit at a time, tasting as you go until it is sweet enough for you then beat on medium high for at least 5 more minutes.

5. If it isn't a strong enough whiskey taste for you add Tablespoon by Tablespoon of whiskey until it is to your liking.

Adatped From: Fields of Cake