Recipe: Screwdriver Cupcakes with Orange Vodka Buttercream Frosting

SCREWDRIVER CUPCAKES

3 eggs
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
2 1/2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup orange-flavored vodka
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
Orange Vodka Buttercream (recipe follows)
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut, for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour one 12-cup muffin or cupcake pan.

Beat eggs until pale and foamy. In a mixing bowl, cream butter; mix in sugar and orange zest. Beat in the beaten eggs; set aside.

In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In another bowl, whisk together orange juice and vodka.

Add flour and vodka mixtures to egg mixture in three alternating additions. Fold in coconut. Divide batter among muffin cups.

Bake 21 to 23 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.

Frost cupcakes with a generous amount of buttercream. Sprinkle with coconut.

ORANGE VODKA BUTTERCREAM

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons vodka

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar 3 to 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla, orange juice and cream. Fold in vodka.

Makes 12 cupcakes
Source: Booze Cakes: Confections Spiked With Spirits, Wine, and Beer by Krystina Castella and Terry Lee Stone