Ale-8 Cupcakes

If you're from Kentucky then you know what Ale-8 is, if you aren't from Kentucky then you probably don't-considering it's mostly sold only in Kentucky.  It's a ginger-blended soda and I adore it.  Most people I know either love it or hate it, there are few that can take it or leave it.  Although it's produced in plastic bottles and aluminum cans, I prefer the glass bottle :) I also love this drink because it's made in Winchester, Kentucky which isn't far from where I live and the best part.... you can buy it in a vending machine for only 75 cents! What other drink can you purchase in a glass bottle for that cheap?  Please visit Ale-8 for more info. on my favorite drink.

I decided to make these cupcakes but using a box yellow cake mix and following the regular directions and just substituting the water with Ale-8, however the taste was not very strong so I had to add more Ale-8. These were made with a Swiss Meringue Buttercream frosting that next time will have some added Ale-8 as well.

Here's what you need for the cupcakes, I forgot to include ginger, sorry!

Ale-8 Cupcakes 
Printable Recipe 

*makes 18 regular size cupcakes*

Ingredients

For Cupcakes:
1 box yellow or white cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 cup Ale-8
1 tsp fresh ginger (grate with micro-plane zester)


For Swiss Meringue Buttercream*
5 large egg whites
1 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar
pinch of salt
1 lb (4 sticks) unsalted butter (cut into tablespoons) at room temp
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp fresh ginger

Directions:

Preheat oven 350 degrees F

Make the cupcake batter by box directions (leave out the water and replace with Ale-8) and add 1 tsp grated fresh ginger

Spray cupcake tin with non-stick cooking spray or use liners.  Fill each cupcake tin with about 1/4 cup of batter and bake per box directions (about 18-20 minutes, rotating pans half way through)  When a cake tester or tooth pick comes out clean from center of cupcakes, they're done.

Frosting Directions:

Combine egg whites, sugar, and salt in a heatproof bowl (bowl of stand mixer) and place over pot of simmering water (make sure the water is not touching the bottom of your bowl).  Whisk constantly by hand until mixture is warm to the touch and sugar has dissolved.






Attach the bowl to your stand mixer and use whisk attachment.  Start whisking on low and gradually increase speed to medium-high, whisk until stuff peaks form.  Continue mixing until the mixture is fluffy and glossy, and completely cool.  This takes about 10 minutes.

With mixer on medium-low speed, add the butter a few tbsp. at a time.  Before adding more, make sure it's completely incorporated.  Once all the butter is added, whisk in vanilla.  Switch to paddle attachment and beat on low speed until all the air-bubbles are gone.  This takes about 2 minutes.  Scrap down with spatula and continue beating until frosting is smooth. 

Keep buttercream at room temp. if using the same day. If not, refrigerate and bring to room temp. before using.

Pipe icing or decorate cupcakes as desired.  I used a 1A Wilton tip with a piping bag :)

Allow cupcakes to cool on wire racks completely before frosting.

*Swiss Meringue Buttercream recipe from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes, click here to check out the book