I’m not afraid to admit that I’m a huge Harry Potter fan–meaning yes, I’ll be at the midnight showing tonight. So, when my friend Molly asked me yesterday if I wanted to make butterbeer cupcakes in honor of the movie release, you can bet that I sacrificed missing my favorite workout class to make these delectable treats.
The texture of the cake was fluffy and moist, and made even better with the gooey butterscotch filling and silky frosting. Though delicious, the cupcakes were extremely sweet–and that’s even coming from the girl with the huge sweet tooth. :)
Cheers!
Cupcake recipe:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs
1 tbsp. butterscotch schnapps
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup cream soda
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add both sugars and continue beating until well combined. On low speed, add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add the dry ingredients in three batches, alternating with the cream soda and buttermilk. Mix until just combined, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Fill each cupcake liner about 3/4 full, then bake for 15-17 minutes until cupcake springs back at the touch of a finger. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Butterscotch ganache filling recipe:
5 1/2 oz. butterscotch chips (a little less than a cup)
1/2 cup heavy cream
Directions:
Combine the butterscotch chips and heavy cream in a glass bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Stir occasionally until combined. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer to a piping bag with a small tip and fill each cupcake just until the filling comes to the top.
Butterscotch frosting recipe:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup butterscotch ganache
1 1/2 tbsp. butterscotch schnapps
1/8 tsp. salt
3 1/2 to 4 cups confectioner’s sugar, plus more to reach desired thickness
Directions:
Cream the butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the butterscotch filling, schnapps and salt and beat until well combined. On low speed, beat in the confectioner’s sugar one cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Pipe cooled cupcakes and drizzle with remaining syrup.
Adapted from amybites.
Molly, the butterscotch drizzle master.
These cupcakes look delicious. I think they were a completely valid reason to miss a workout. I’m kinda jealous of your midnight movie. I actually considered it, but finding a sitter for a midnight movie isn’t an easy thing!
I keep trying to tell myself it was a good decision. I’ll make up for it next week. :) I agree, that might be a bitttt difficult, especially since the movies are so dang long!
Wow, those look good. Am so excited about the premiere. Katherine thinks we’re waiting until tomorrow night, I don’t think so!
Heck no, you guys are going tonight! The last hp midnight showing ever. It’s a must. :)
What a perfect way to celebrate the movie opening! They look gorgeous, decadent and delicious!
Thanks so much Geni!! xx
OMG – these look amazing. And what a great way to celebrate the last HP movie!
Thanks Courtney! I figured I had to do something in honor of the final movie. :)
Hi Caroline!
These look amazing! And, would make for a great addition to any Harry Potter related party viewing party.
I’m from Bloomberg TV and am reaching out to Harry Potter fans to let them know about a special we are airing tonight on J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series at 9 pm ET/PT. You can watch it on TV http://bloom.bg/mQS1vY or on the web http://bloom.bg/llKG3I
I hope you can join us and let us know what you think. And, I may just have to try making these cupcakes tonight and bring them in for the crew that worked on the special. They would love these.
Have a great day,
Michelle
@bloombergTV
https://www.facebook.com/BloombergTelevision
Hi Michelle, thanks so much for letting me know! I have a work commitment at 9 p.m., but hopefully it’ll stay online so I can watch it later. I’ll definitely be at the midnight showing tonight though, that’s for sure!
Let me know if you end up making the cupcakes. I agree, I think the crew would love them!! xx
Working out vs. making butterbeer cupcakes? You definitely made the right decision. Those look awesome! You should sneak a few of ’em into the theater when you go to the movie.
I keep telling myself that it was the right decision, ha! At least they were delicious, so that makes it worth it. If they turned out to be a total failure, that would have been a bummer. I just might have to sneak a few in! Considering the amount of sugar in the cakes, it might help me stay awake during the film. :)
Looks amazing. Why is it called butterbeer – there is no beer? Or are you supposed to drink beer with it:)
You have a very good point, I’m honestly not sure. No beer, but there’s some butterscotch schnapps in there! I’m also not sure what my friend is going to do with an entire bottle of the schnapps, ha!
Caroline, I can’t believe you made these!! They look incredible (I’m in awe of anyone who can ‘fancy’ bake) – what a great way to celebrate your fanship! Hope it’s a great movie.
Aren’t they fun!? I’d still like to try an actual butterbeer, but I never pass up a good cupcake. Thanks so much! I am literally counting down the hours until the movie. :)
Oh my. That is amazing. Can you send me one right to my desk right now?? It would be the PERFECT afternoon snack right now :)
It would definitely be a great snack! Too bad they’re back at my apartment, or else I would have found a way to ship one to you!
Oh dear heavens these look sooooo goood! I have an incredible sweet tooth myself, one that I am trying to tame currently. But, dear heavens, I think my husband would freak over these, he loves butterscotch!
These would be the perfect treat for him then! They are the epitome of a butterscotch lovers dessert. Thanks so much! xx
I’ve read the books but don’t rate the films… am i weird?
Caroline you a kitchen angel – you are my inspiration… I must soon try filling. Do you just pipe in or scoop something out first?
Also, do you have a standard go-to sponge base mix you use?
I want to get a simple base I can then just adapt flavour wise to make it simpler… I don’t like flitting recipes for bases too much, and am trying to just find one that works best?
any advice?
Not weird at all! I love both the books and films, but the books are always better and much more detailed. You are way too sweet, Holly, thank you so much that means a lot!
I don’t fill the cupcakes the same every time. Sometimes I core the cupcake, using my cupcake corer (which is just this little plastic tool I got from sur la table) then fill the cupcakes, OR, I just use a knife, cut a circle & remove the top, fill, then replace the top, OR just use a piping bag and inject the cakes with filling (that’s what I did for these to keep it simple).
I completely agree with you, it’s always nice to have a base recipe. I know these aren’t plain vanilla, but it’s some of the best batter I’ve tasted (blueberry & lemon cupcakes: http://sweetcarolinescooking.com/2010/08/10/birthday-baking/)
These spice cakes are also some of my favorites–delicious & moist. I would think they’d be just as good if you excluded all of the spices. http://sweetcarolinescooking.com/2010/08/31/cupcakes-for-cash/
Let me know if any of this helps!! xx
Caroline – I read this a while ago, now referring back to it – just wanted to add my thanks!
Caroline, the swirling frosting just makes these look to die for!! I think you have to go to the gym AFTER making these!! Truely these are a butterscotch lover’s dream! Enjoy your movie night!
Haha! I think you’ve got a great point. A gym session will definitely be in need, with the amount of butter in sugar in these cupcakes. I’ll work out extra hard next week. :) Thanks so much. xx
Wow, you picked baking cup cakes over working out! I’ve done that many times, but you can just wokout tomorrow and eat clean the next day, no big deal! :) I wish I could have one right now, they look so beautiful and the frosting is just calling my name! I should make this for my husband for our wedding anniversary next week, he loves butterscotch!
Exactly my plan, Lisa! I was bummed because it’s the one step class I can go to a week, which I really enjoy, but clearly my Harry Potter obsessed self couldn’t resist these.
That’s so exciting your anniversary is next week!! I think he would absolutely love these if he likes butterscotch. :)
o0o those are so pretty! they’d def be a winner in cupcake wars
Wow, what a compliment!! Thanks so much eva. xx
Not a Harry Potter fan, but definitely a fan of these cupcakes!
Harry’s not for everyone, but I think the cupcakes could win most over! Thanks Maris. :)
Don’t tell my daughter you’re going to the midnight show! I was supposed to take her, but I have to work at 8am tomorrow, so that’s out of the question.
Great recipe and post, young lady!
That’s definitely understandable! I got about 4 hours of sleep before I had to go to work. Thankfully we got a half day!
I love butterscotch! Not as much as chocolate but a close second and these butterbeer cupcakes look absolutely delectable. Oh I can just eat one right now.. can you tell I’m hungry lol
See I’m the opposite–these cupcakes are right up my alley because there’s absolutely no chocolate involved! My kind of dessert. :)
I wish I could reach out and grab one off the screen now! They look decadent!
Haha! Thanks Angie. :)
Screw Harry Potter – I’d rather sit in the comfort of my own home and gorge myself on these incredible looking cakes. Seriously, Caroline – open a cupcake store – I’d totally buy these!
OMG, those cupcakes look divine and so tempting! I am drooling…
Cheers,
Rosa
They were pretty decadent. Thanks Rosa!
So jealous!!!! I’m a HUGE HP fan too. We really wanted to go to the midnight showing, but are on vacay with the kiddos (no sitters!). That means we have to wait two more weeks to see it!!!!! Ack!!!! Although I admit there’s a part of me that doesn’t want to see it – I don’t want it to end. I do get to relive it through Mr. N though. I just started book 5 with him. We’ve been reading them together for the past year. It’s so much fun!
Oh yeah – and the cupcakes. YUM! Overly sweet is ok with me. ;)
Ahhh such a bummer! It was by far the best movie yet, I can’t wait to go see it again already. I don’t wait it to end either–makes me so sad! That’s such a great idea, getting to relive the “magic” through Mr. N. ;) I’m tempted to start re-reading all of the books too. You’ll have to let me know what you think of the movie when you get to go see it. I guess it got 97% on rotten tomatoes, and I’d say it was definitely deserved! Thanks Kristy. :)
gorgeous, delicious, and what are you talking about overly sweet- I have never heard of such a thing:)
OK, you do have a point! I think I said that because I tried the cupcakes after a big meal, so I couldn’t handle eating much. But, have no fear, I was able to eat an entire cupcake the next day. :)
These look sinfully delicious! I really have to try them. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Blessings…Mary
You should definitely give them a try. Pretty easy to make and very yummy! Hope you had a great weekend. :)
Your have frosted the cupcake soo beautifully..butterscotch is one of my all time fav flavors- cant wait to try this!
Thanks so much Tanvi! I loove butterscotch as well.
I’m not even an HP fan and these look good- what’s the story behind them and HP? :) I need educated!
Wellll, Harry, Ron & Hermione would always get butterbeer at this little pub in a town they’d visit called hogsmeade, so this was my take on the drink but in food form. The drink doesn’t actually have any alcohol in it though (since the characters are so young) haha.
Yummy, yummy, yummy, are there any left? These look amazing?
Yes, there are! Please take them off my hands or I’m going to gain lots of weight, haha!
These look divine.
Thank you!!
Wow I cant stop looking at that cup cakes, the frosting and that butterscotch looks so tempting, amazing and delicious.
They’re just staring at me on my counter. I keep trying to give them away so I don’t have to eat all of them haha!
Caroline these Harry Potter inspired cupcakes look amazing! Hope you enjoyed the film, i cant wait to see it though very sad that its all ending!
Thanks so much Mandy! I’m so sad it’s ending too. I’ll just have to re-read all of the books or something. I have the dvds and watch the movies all of the time, so I’ll just keep that up. :) Let me know what you think when you see the movie. I thought it was pretty dang amazing!
I have a confession to make, I have never made cupcakes! Those last pictures are really beautiful, you are such a pro at these, I couldn’t compete! Hope you enjoyed the movie and it lived up to your expectations!! :D
What!?!!? Really?! I think you could definitely put up some tough competition, you should give them a try. :) I definitely enjoyed the movie–was even better than I expected. Thank you!
You’re my new hero!!! Love this recipe. Loved the film, already have my tickets to go again. I was afraid I’d have post-potter blues if I didn’t buy more tickets!
You’re too sweet Aimee, thank you!! I’m already planning on going again too. I’ll probably just keep seeing the movie so it doesn’t seem like it’s actually ending, haha.
The kids I use to nanny were obsessed with Harry… and, maybe I secretly enjoyed watching it over and over again too. One thing I AM sure of is these cupcakes girrll- so up my lane!
Of course you secretly enjoyed it, how could you not!? Well, that’s coming from a crazed HP fan, haha!
I love the harry potter series..loved the books more than the movies but the movies are still awsome..I am really sad this is the last one but those wonderful cupcakes will surely help me feel better :)
I loved the books much more than the movies as well, but that’s typically the case anytime a book is made into a movie. Can’t get all of the great details in the movie!
Hope you enjoyed the movie! We were going to see it this weekend but my parents we in town visiting and we got sucked into hanging out with them instead. I can’t wait to see it! These cupcakes look super delicious!
Oh bummer!! I’m sure you’re going to absolutely love it. You’ll have to let me know what you think. I already can’t wait to see it again. :)
These look (and sound!) delicious! Wasn’t the movie the perfect ending to the series!? I’m going to wait a little while, but I’m totally going back and rereading all the books; I’m kinda sad that it’s all over. For good. :(
Thanks so much Melissa! I agree, I think it was the perfect ending to the series. Still made me sad that it’s all over though! I think I’ll do the same re the books. I already watch the movies pretty often. :)
So despite the fact that I don’t even like cupcakes (which is a crime, I know), I have to make this. This is such a great recipe and as a total HP nerd, I feel obligated. Thanks for this post, seriously! You have made my day. (:
Oh no! Well, you can make them for your cupcake loving friends. :)
[…] Butterbeer Cupcake Recipe […]
Do you think this frosting would work for a layer cake? I’m hoping to do this tomorrow!!!
Do you think this frosting would work for a layer cake? I’m hoping to do this tomorrow!!!