Double Chocolate Cookies with Jack Daniels & Mint Julep Cupcakes

Today is the 138th Kentucky Derby! I'm going to a friends for a Derby / Cinco de Mayo party, but before I go, I wanted to share two delicious recipes with you. First, double chocolate whiskey cookies, and second, mint julep cupcakes.

Double Chocolate Cookies with Jack Daniels

What You'll Need

1 Stick of Butter, softened

3/4 whtie sugar

3/4 brown sugar

1 large egg

1/4 cup Jack Daniels

1 1/4 cup flour

1 cup cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 bag semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat your oven 350 Degrees and grease two cookie sheets. Or use non stick foil like I do.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together your butter and sugars. Then add your egg and Jack Daniels and mix well.

Mix together the cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and flour in a bowl.

Mix into the sugar/egg/butter/J.D. mixture slowly.

Drop rounded tablespoons onto your cookie sheet and cook at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until the centers spring back with gentle pressure.

Mint Julep Cupcakes

What You'll Need : Cupcakes

1 Box Betty Crocker Butter Cake Mix

1/2 Cup Bourbon (I used Jack Daniels, which isn't a bourbon - sorry!)

1/2 Cup Water

3 Eggs

1/3 Stick butter, softened

Follow the instructions on the box mix, replacing half of the water with bourbon. Mix well and put into cupcake cups 3/4 of the way full.

Put into the oven at 350 degrees and bake for 17-22 minutes or until lightly browned on top.

What You'll Need : Mint Julep Icing

4-5 cups powdered sugar

1 stick of butter, softened

Creme de menthe

Bourbon

Mint leaves for decor

In a large mixing bowl, whip the butter until light and fluffy. Start slowly adding your powdered sugar by the cup. On your third pour in, mix in 6 teaspoons creme de menthe and 3 teaspoons of bourbon. After that, add sugar until it forms peaks, but is not stiff icing. This is to taste - I highly suggest trying your icing. If you find it too sugary, add some milk to help counter.

Refrigerate the icing for about 1 hour, then ice with a knife. Then top with mint leaves, and you are done!

Here's to a great Derby and a wonderful Cinco de Mayo as well!