Christmas Cookie Countdown and Spiced Rum Chocolate Cupcakes with Spiced Rum Buttercream

"Spiced Rum Chocolate Cupcakes with Spiced Rum Buttercream"Whew – the title of this post is a mouthful, isn’t it.  I just didn’t want to leave out any of the details describing this cupcake.

I’m fully aware that these cupcakes are cookie impostors but I don’t think you are going to mind.  Let me explain exactly how it is that I got around to this recipe and why it had to be a cupcake.
"Spiced Rum Chocolate Cupcakes with Spiced Rum Buttercream""Spiced Rum Chocolate Cupcakes with Spiced Rum Buttercream"I was out the other day amongst all the other holiday shoppers who were praying that they would happen upon the perfect gift for Aunt Whomever, or Cousin You Know Who, when I spied these adorable Santa baking cups.  In fact, I found tons of fun and unique baking cups all of varying sizes and shapes, some of which had the cutest designs I have ever seen.  I grabbed these Santa cups along with nine other packages of cupcake liners.  I was as happy as a kid in a candy store.  My sister was nearby in the store doing some of her own shopping and I couldn’t wait to show her my find.  As I spilled them into the cart, excitedly displaying them to her one by one, I glanced up to find the most peculiar look on her face.  Given that we have been sisters for ** years, I knew instantly why my excitement wasn’t being met with warm and reciprocal enthusiasm.  She, too, had happened upon these cute little cake cups and I had managed to spoil one of the holiday gifts she had planned for me.   I don’t think it is very nice to call someone names but in this case I can see why she just shook her head at me and called me a “ding dong” (a sisterly term of endearment).  It’s comforting and reassuring the way we get each other.  She knows there will be the annual ornament under the tree for her from me.  And I anticipate from her a baking book for my collection.  We have given each other a pair of flannel pajamas every year at Christmas for as long as I can remember, and I don’t think this year will be any exception.
"Spiced Rum Chocolate Cupcakes with Spiced Rum Buttercream""Spiced Rum Chocolate Cupcakes with Spiced Rum Buttercream"Circling back to why my cookie post actually had to be a cupcake, well,  I just fell in love with these Santa wrappers.  As much as I love the jolly, white bearded, Ho Ho Ho, Santa that became popularized in the 1930s by the Coca-Cola Company, I have always held a fondness for the Old World Santa of earlier times.  So when I found these cute papers, my mind started to spin ideas for a spirited holiday cupcake.  I remembered seeing a bottle of Spiced Rum on my sister’s bar and from there it all came together quite easily.
"Spiced Rum Chocolate Cupcakes with Spiced Rum Buttercream"

 

Source:  Cupcake adapted from Tish Boyle’s Cake Book.  Spiced Rum Buttercream is my own recipe.




6 thoughts on “Christmas Cookie Countdown and Spiced Rum Chocolate Cupcakes with Spiced Rum Buttercream

  1. Those are beautiful cupcakes, Mary! Even though they ARE cupcakes. 🙂 It’s so nice that you have the sister you do. I’ve always wanted one… my motorcycle riding, adrenaline-junkie of a brother just isn’t the same as having a sister of my own.

    Happy New Year!

    [K]

    • As “over cupcakes” as I am, I am completely addicted to the beautiful liners available to make them look oh so pretty. I think 2013 will bring more cupcakes – now that I have hundreds of fancy and sweet papers I need to use.

  2. I couldn’t let the holidays slide too much further away without stopping by to let you know how much I enjoyed your Santa cupcakes! I have a Santa collection and prefer the traditional rendition of the jolly old fellow. Spiced rum and chocolate is an enchanting ode to the season! I’m sure he would be delighted to try one (or two) when he stopped by your house on Christmas Eve!

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