1. Prep for Perfection:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Set out your butter for the frosting now so it softens beautifully.
2. Mix the Cupcake Batter:
- Dry First: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Wet Next: In a larger bowl, beat the egg, then whisk in the Jack Daniel’s, buttermilk, and oil until smooth.
- Combine: Gently add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two batches, mixing just until combined after each (don’t overdo it!).
- Fill & Bake: Divide batter evenly among the 12 cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 17-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
3. Whip Up the Whiskey Ganache:
- Place chocolate chips in a heat-safe glass bowl.
- In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.
- Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips. Cover the bowl (a plate works well) and let it sit for 2-3 minutes to melt the chocolate.
- Whisk until smooth and glossy. Stir in the Jack Daniel’s until fully incorporated.
- Refrigerate the ganache for about 30 minutes to firm it up. Remember to reserve ½ cup for the frosting!
4. Create the Boozy Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, the ½ cup of cooled ganache, cocoa powder, heavy cream, Jack Daniel’s, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, ½ to 1 cup at a time, mixing until completely smooth.
- Chill the frosting in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- After chilling, beat the frosting again for 1 minute to make it light and fluffy.
5. Assemble Your Masterpieces:
- Core: Once cupcakes are cool, use a cupcake corer or a small knife to carefully remove a small section from the center of each cupcake (don’t go all the way through!).
- Fill: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the chilled ganache into each cupcake cavity. Gently press it in.
- Frost: Pipe or spread the fluffy frosting generously onto each cupcake. If you fancy, add some chocolate jimmies for an extra touch!