Shamrock Shake Cupcakes

Remember when I owned a cupcake business?

It feels like ages ago, right?  It was super fun, but now I have a baby who would crawl into the oven if left unattended, so no more baking business for me.

Even though I'm not making them every day, I still like cupcakes.  Especially fun, playful creations like this one from the Tickled Pink archives.  I'm obsessed with the idea of those minty Shamrock Shakes (can't usually bring myself to eat at McD's) and created this cupcake a few St. Patty's Days back.  I can't believe I'm actually on the ball this time and sharing this with you in advance.

Perfect St. Patty's Day treat!  What's your favorite green food/drink?

Shamrock Shake Cupcakes
by Natalie at Oven Love
(makes 2 dozen cupcakes)

For the Cake:
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour (if you don't have any, you can make your own)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons mint extract (regular mint, not peppermint)
few drops of green food coloring

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine flours in a large bowl.

3. In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar, beat 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

4. Add flour in three parts, alternating with the milk/extracts in two.
5. Add food coloring until fulling incorporated, but don't overmix- a drop or two will do for a light green color.
6. Pour into baking cups.

7. Bake 20-25 minutes.

For the frosting:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
6-8 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp mint extract
a few drops green food coloring

Cream butter, 4 cups sugar, milk, and mint. Add more sugar to reach desired consistency. Add food coloring until fully incorporated.

For the Fondant Shamrocks:
Find a fondant recipe here.

Add a bit of green food coloring (gel works better than liquid when working with fondant) and knead into your fondant, making sure to add plenty of powdered sugar to prevent it from sticking to your mat. When you reach the desired color, roll flat with a rolling pin to about 1/4''(I use a plastic fondant roller to reduce sticking). To make the shamrocks, I cut out a paper stencil and traced around it with a knife, then finished shaping it with my fingers. If you can find a small shamrock cutter, that would work, too.