Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp absinthe (high-quality, like LaFee or Lucid)
- 2–3 drops green food coloring (natural or gel)
- ¼ cup whole milk
- For buttercream: ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 tbsp absinthe; 1–2 drops green food coloring
- For garnish: 24 maraschino cherries; edible silver dragée or pearl dust
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and 1 tsp absinthe.
- Alternately add dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Stir in food coloring until uniformly vibrant green.
- Divide batter evenly among muffin cups—fill ~¾ full.
- Bake 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
- For buttercream: Beat butter until pale. Gradually add powdered sugar, then absinthe and food coloring. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.
- Garnish each with 1 cherry and a light dusting of silver pearl dust.
- Let cupcakes rest 30 minutes before serving for flavors to meld. Enjoy responsibly.
Notes
- Absinthe Note: This recipe uses culinary-grade absinthe. Alcohol content is minimal after baking, but flavor remains distinct. For non-alcoholic version, substitute with 1 tsp anise.extract + 1 tsp water.
- Do not over-mix batter—keeping it light ensures tender crumb.
- For richer flavor, use green tea powder (½ tsp) for depth without bitterness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 190 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
