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    Home » Recipes » Dessert » Boozy Desserts » Southern Comfort Alcohol Infused Cupcakes

    Published: Apr 25, 2022 · Updated: Apr 25, 2022 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Southern Comfort Alcohol Infused Cupcakes

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    A collage of images for making chocolate cupcakes with text overlay.
    Close up of a Southern Comfort Chocolate Cupcake decorated with chocolate shavings and a caramel drizzle.

    If you're after the ultimate grown-up boozy dessert idea you can't go wrong with my Southern Comfort Alcohol Infused Cupcakes! From-scratch Chocolate Cupcakes spiked with just a hint of Southern Comfort are a fun cocktail cupcake idea to make for your next celebration.

    Overhead view of frosting cupcakes with a dab of caramel and cocoa powder on the counter.
    Chocolate cupcakes infused with a boozy hit of Southern Comfort and a drizzle of caramel are the ultimate grown-up treat!

    This post was originally published on February 24, 2020, and has now been updated with updated links, and more information and instructions!

    These simple Southern Comfort alcohol-infused cupcakes are as delicious and indulgent as cupcakes can be.

    Topped with a rich and fluffy boozy chocolate frosting and a thick drizzle of caramel these might be the best cupcakes you’ll ever make. They'll certainly make you say, "Cheers!"

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • What is Southern Comfort?
    • Ingredients
    • Directions
    • How to Infuse Cupcakes with Southen Comfort
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • A few more easy recipes you might also enjoy!
    • Boozy Southern Comfort Cupcakes Recipe

    Why This Recipe Works

    This easy recipe starts with a fudgy chocolate cupcake base. It's super moist and almost chewy. YUM!

    I use Southern Comfort in place of some of the milk. The result? Melt in your mouth cupcakes that scream “Salud!"

    I've never met a chocolate cupcake I didn't like, but when you infuse it with a little Southern Comfort liqueur... it really takes the flavor to the next level.

    As a cocktail lover who loves cupcakes, it's natural that I would want to add alcohol to my cupcake batter.

    It's such a great way to add flavor to a basic cupcake recipe.

    If you need a fun dessert idea for a 21st birthday party or other adult celebration, make these simple Southern Comfort Alcohol Infused Cupcakes! The whiskey flavor pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate! 

    If you love whiskey or bourbon, you also MUST try this Bourbon Bundt Cake! It's incredible.

    What is Southern Comfort?

    What is Southern Comfort, you say? It has an interesting history.

    For most of its life, it didn't actually have any whiskey in it but was, in fact, a whiskey-flavored liqueur.

    Liqueurs are typically flavored spirits that are sweetened and flavored. While I don't usually love them in cocktails, they work really well in baked goods.

    SoCo, as Southern Comfort alcohol is sometimes called, was purchased a few years ago by a larger liquor company and they planned to start adding whiskey to the secret formula.

    So the bottle that is dusty and sitting in your cupboard may be liqueur. But the ones on the grocery store shelf could be whiskey.

    Either way, it has some fruity and spice notes which make it a great pairing for just about any cupcake flavor.

    If you love traditional chocolate cupcakes, you're going to LOVE these Southern Comfort cupcakes even more!

    Ingredients

    A bowl with eggs and cake mix and a spatula.

    For the cupcakes, you'll need sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and Southern Comfort.

    To make the frosting you'll need a batch of my Very Best Vanilla Frosting, more cocoa powder and Southern Comfort, a pinch of both cinnamon and nutmeg, some caramel sauce, and some (optional, though they are rather yummy!) chocolate shavings for the garnish.

    Directions

    Overhead view of chocolate cupcakes batter.

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and set aside. 

    In a bowl combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. Add eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, Southern Comfort and water.

    This is also where you make time to take a shot of SoCo. I mean, it just makes sense.

    Mix until everything is well incorporated and there are no lumps left.

    Overhead view of a cupcakes tin with chocolate batter.

    Divide the batter between the cupcake liners and put in the oven. Bake for 18 minutes or until done.

    Remove from the oven and let them cool completely before frosting. 

    A bowl of chocolate buttercream with Southern Comfort.

    Meanwhile, prepare the frosting.

    In a bowl whip up a batch of the Very Best Vanilla Frosting with cocoa powder, Southern Comfort, cinnamon and nutmeg.

    Transfer to a piping bag.

    Close up of an unfrosted chocolate cupcakes on a table.

    Once cooled, frost the cupcakes with the Southern Comfort spiked buttercream frosting.

    The cinnamon and hint of nutmeg, amps up the chocolate flavor and give it just the right hint of warmness.

    Overhead view of frosting chocolate cupcakes.

    Finish off these Southern Comfort Cupcakes with a generous caramel drizzle. This part it’s totally optional but I HIGHLY encourage that you add it.

    Caramel helps to balance all the flavors and really compliments the fruity tones of Southern Comfort.

    I like to frost my cupcakes, leaving a little low spot in the center to make a caramel pool. Yes, it’s just as delicious as it sounds. 

    How to Infuse Cupcakes with Southen Comfort

    There are several ways to infuse a cupcake with Southern Comfort in case you want to make this recipe even more grown-up!

    1. Add the liquor to the cake batter before baking, as I did here.
    2. Let a shot of alcohol soak into the warm cupcake after baking.
    3. Include a little pipette of liquor for the person enjoying the cupcake to add on their own. 
    4. You can include Southern Comfort in the frosting, again as I have done here.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What if I don't have any Southern Comfort to hand?

    Don't have Southern Comfort? Just use regular whiskey or bourbon instead.

    Can I use store-bought caramel sauce, or should I make my own?

    It is totally up to you! Store-bought caramel sauce is the easiest to use but if you have time and want to make the most delicious caramel/butterscotch sauce ever you totally should.

    I made this caramel recipe for my ice cream sundae party and I dream about it.

    Can I use pre-made chocolate shavings? How do I make my own shavings at home?

    You can make your own chocolate shavings with this cute little tool or buy them ready-made.

    A few more easy recipes you might also enjoy!

    • Red Wine Cupcakes from Box Mix
    • Prosecco Cupcakes with Boozy Prosecco Frosting
    • Rose Wine Cupcakes from Vanilla Box Mix
    • Fireball Boozy Cupcakes with Cake Mix
    • Alcohol Infused Moscow Mule Cupcakes
    Flower decorated cake with text around it.

    Save this and Pin it for later!

    If you want to save this recipe make sure you Pin it for later! If you are not already you can follow me on Pinterest, as well as keep up with me on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. If you make this recipe make sure to tag me in your photos and leave a star rating below!

    Chocolate cupcake with southern comfort frosting

    Boozy Southern Comfort Cupcakes Recipe

    Next time you think you need a cocktail, you might just need a boozy cupcake! These easy Southern Comfort Alcohol Infused Chocolate cupcakes are topped with a SoCo buttercream frosting and a decadent drizzle of caramel.
    If you need a fun dessert idea for a 21st birthday party or other adult celebration, make these simple Southern Comfort Cupcakes! The whiskey flavor pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 18 minutes minutes
    Cooling Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 28 minutes minutes
    Servings: 13 cupcakes
    Calories: 164kcal
    Author: Sharon Garofalow

    Ingredients

    For the Cupcakes

    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 cup flour
    • ½ cup cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 eggs
    • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup water
    • ¼ cup Southern Comfort Whiskey

    For the Frosting

    • The ingredients for the Very Best Vanilla Frosting See the recipe here.
    • ¼ cup cocoa powder
    • 1 tablespoon Southern Comfort
    • Pinch of cinnamon
    • Pinch of nutmeg
    • ½ Cup caramel
    • Chocolate shavings, optional

    Instructions

    Directions:

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and set aside
    • In a bowl combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder and baking powder.
    • Add eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, Southern Comfort and water.
    • Mix until everything is well incorporated and there are no lumps left.
    • Divide the batter between the cupcake liners and take to the oven.
    • Bake for 18 minutes or until done.
    • Remove from the oven and let them cool completely before frosting.

    To Make the Frosting:

    • In a bowl whip up the very best vanilla frosting.
    • Add cocoa powder, Southern Comfort, cinnamon and nutmeg.
    • Transfer to a piping bag.
    • Frost cupcakes and top with a caramel drizzle and some chocolate shavings.

    Notes

    Don't skip the caramel drizzle and chocolate shavings! So good!
    You'll love the unique flavor the Southern Comfort infuses into these chocolate cupcakes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupcake | Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 66mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CupcakesCutlery or tag #cupcakescutlery!

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    About Sharon Garofalow

    Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

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