Who would guess Crown Royal Butter Pecan Cupcakes would be such a hit? Before I discovered the flavors of Crown Royal, I never would have thought it would create such a great dessert!
A couple of years ago I went to the Jeff Kyle 400 NASCAR race in Indianapolis with Crown Royal. It was my first NASCAR event and I was excited to discover some new and exciting ways to drink Crown Royal!
I thought it was time for a new cupcake and wondered if incorporating a little Crown Royal into the cake and frosting would work. It turns out that is works very well!
Don't worry about the flavor of the Crown Royal being too strong. The hints of vanilla and fruit are what really come through. I can't wait to hear what you think!
What You'll Need for these Cupcakes
Don't let the ingredients overwhelm you. These Crown Royal cupcakes are not that difficult to make! You'll need unsalted butter, pecans, flour, baking powder and baking soda, brown sugar, powdered sugar salt, eggs, whipping cream, pure vanilla extract, buttermilk, and Crown Royal.
You don't need a lot of Crown Royal, so even a miniature will work for this recipe. I do think once you taste the cupcakes, you'll want to have a larger bottle of Crown Royal around to make them again!
If you want pretty cupcakes, you'll also need a pastry bag with a large frosting tip.
How to Make Butter Pecan Cupcakes
Preheat your oven to 350º degrees.
Line cupcake pan with paper liners.
Sift the flour, baking powder, and baking soda into a medium bowl.
In another mixing bowl, combine the sugar, salt and 1 stick of soft butter.
Beat at medium speed for 5 minutes.
Add eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla and Crown Royal with the very last egg. Beat until well combined.
On low speed, add the flour mixture and alternate with milk. Begin and end the addition with the flour.
Add pecans with the last addition of flour.
Stir batter just enough to fully blend all ingredients.
Fill 18 cupcake tins with batter until 3/4 full.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in cupcake tin for 10 minutes.
Remove from cupcake tin then completely cool the cupcakes on a wire rack.
How to Make Frosting
Beat the softened butter until smooth.
Add vanilla.
Add powdered sugar into the creamed butter until it becomes a smooth and thick texture.
Gradually add heavy whipping cream until completely mixed.
If the frosting is too thick, add several drops of heavy cream. If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Add the Crown Royal and stir it into the frosting.
Take a spoonful of the frosting and hold the spoon upside down. If the frosting drops off the spoon add more powdered sugar. If the frosting doesn't fall off the spoon then it's ready.
Scoop the frosting into a pastry bag with a large frosting tip.
Twist the open end of the pastry bag to push the frosting to the tip
Frost the cupcakes from the outside edge working inward to the circle.
Have you ever made a dessert with Crown Royal? How about a special cocktail? I'd love to try it! Share in the comments below!
Tips from a Readers
Michelle added Crown Royal soaked pecans on top. We are doing that the next time! Thanks for sharing, Michelle!
TaLia used the apple version for Crown Royal Apple Cupcakes and they were so pretty! (Crown Royal Peach cupcakes would be so good, too!)
Lisa dipped the baked cupcake in Crown Royal for an extra kick. A girl after my own heart!!
Share your creations in the comments or on Pinterest where you can share a photo. Can't wait to see yours!
Crown Royal Butter Pecan Cupcakes
Delicious Butter Pecan Cupcakes with the subtle flavors of Crown Royal
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1/2 C unsalted butter, room temp
- 1/2 C chopped pecans
- 1 1/2 C flour
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 C brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 eggs, room temp
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 TBSP Crown Royal
- 3/4 C buttermilk, room temp
For the Frosting
- 1 C soft unsalted butter
- 4 C powdered sugar
- 4 TBSP heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tsp Crown Royal
Instructions
Cupcake Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Line cupcake tins with paper liners.
Sift flour, baking powder, and baking soda into a medium bowl.
In a mixing bowl combine the sugar, salt and 1 stick of soft butter.
Beat at medium speed for 5 minutes.
Add eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla and Crown Royal with the very last egg. Beat until well combined.
On low speed, add the flour mixture.....alternate with milk. Begin and end the addition with the flour.
Add nuts with the last addition of flour.
Stir batter only to fully blend all ingredients.
Fill the cupcake tins with cupcake batter until 3/4 full.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in cupcake tin for 10 minutes.
Remove from cupcake tin then completely cool them on a wire rack.
Frosting Directions
Beat the softened butter on its own until smooth.
Add vanilla extract.
Add powdered sugar into the creamed butter until it becomes a smooth and thick texture.
Gradually add heavy whipping cream until completely mixed.
If the frosting is too thick, add several drops of heavy cream, if the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Add the Crown Royal and stir it into the frosting.
Take a spoonful of the frosting and hold the spoon upside down. If the frosting drops off the spoon add more powdered sugar. If the frosting doesn't fall off the spoon then it's ready.
Scoop the frosting into a pastry bag with a large frosting tip.
Twist the open end of the pastry bag to push the frosting to the tip
Frost the cupcakes from the outside edge working inward to the circle.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 18 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 375Saturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 88mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 1gSugar: 39gProtein: 3g
Kristin K
These Crown Royal Butter Pecan Cupcakes sound mouthwatering!!! I love cupcakes, butter pecan flavour, and of course, Crown Royal!!! Who wouldn't like a little "kick" in their cupcake??
Michael
They need to make a easy print button for recipes.
pkkitty
Look under the small picture of the cupcakes with the bottle of Crown Royal and you will see a black rectangle with word PRINT. It's located in the upper right corner of the recipe. Just click on that box and you can print out the recipe.
courtney b
so kids can't eat this of course..
I would worry my kids would try to eat one lol ... but for ME?
Delicious!!!
krystel
the crown royal cupcakes look so Delicious yummy yum yum yum
Kristin K
I love cupcakes! I love making cupcakes! But, I never thought of using Crown Royal in the icing! This would definitely be a great idea for parties!!!
Kelly
I know, right, Kristin? I can't wait to make them for a party! Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to comment!
alicia szemon
This would taste good with the crown royal maple too!!!!
Kelly
YES, Alicia! I have to try that next! Thanks for visiting! Appreciate your comment!
Kathy
They also make a crown royal pecan flavor but it is limited to certain parts of the US.
Jammie
It would be great with the crown royal maple I am going to try that this weekend and add some bacon on top!!!
Kelly Stilwell
Please tell me how it is, Jammie! That sounds delicious!
Dina - SavvyInTheKitchen
You had me at Crown Royal! I love me some cupcakes, and this will just make the party even more fun:)
Kelly
My sentiments exactly, Dina! So fun! Thanks for stopping by!
Mai T.
This is such a new recipe for me! Looks deliciously beautiful! Gotta try it out!
Kelly
I'm so glad you like it, Mai! Let me know how it turns out!
Teresa
I make a pecan pie with Crown. I'm going to make these this weekend for my son in law.
Kelly Stilwell
I need that recipe, Teresa!! Want to guest post? 🙂
Julia
I wonder what it would taste like if I left the pecans out? Not a big pecan fan.
Kelly Stilwell
I don't think it would make a huge difference, Julia.
Denah
Hi, love the recipe, one issue though, the frosting is missing the vanilla in the ingredients, I am hoping going to try out this recipe real soon, love it
Kelly Stilwell
Did you make it yet, Denah? Let me know!
Joyce King
This sounds really good but how much vanilla in the frosting and when do you add the 4 T of heavy cream. I will try 1 tsp of vanilla and add the cream with the icing sugar but a newer cook might need this info.
Kelly Stilwell
Sorry about that Joyce! It's been updated. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know!
Tracey
Hey going to make these for my husbands bday but hoping to do them ahead of time and just ice them last min as a surprise.. Can I make the icing ahead of time and stick in the fridge??
Kelly Stilwell
Yes, Tracey. So sorry I didn't see this. As long as you put it in the fridge in an airtight container.
Allison
How many cupcakes does this recipe make?
Amy
How many cupcakes does it make?
Kelly Stilwell
I forgot to add that, Amy. So sorry. It makes 18 cupcakes.
dustyrosecakes
I make a cocktail shot of 50/50 crown along with butterscotch schnapps. Love that flavor combo! Going to try this icing recipe for sure!
Kelly Stilwell
Oh my dustyrosecakes. That sounds incredible!! Will be trying that soon!! Thanks for the tip!!
Mazeera
Can u pls tell me what is crown royal?
Kelly Stilwell
It's a type of whiskey, Mazeera. I'm sure you can find something similar, though Crown Royal is really good!
Rhonda
I use the salted caramel crown royal over brownies with butter pecan ice cream. I make a SCCR soda too. SCCR is my new favorite as a splash over warm baked apples. Also use in place of rum in banana foster. Love it!
Kelly Stilwell
Girl! I did not even know SCCCR was a thing! I'm on a flight out of the country, but I'll be buying some as soon as I return! YUM! Thank you!
Ruth
I make a brown butter bourbon cookie with Crown Royal Vanilla. I'm going to make these with the CR Vanilla!
Kelly Stilwell
Please tell me how they turn out, Ruth! That sounds amazing!!
Lucy
Would love the recipe for the cookies, please!
Rebecca
Has any children try this cupcakes? Sound like not much liquor but I am curious!
Kelly Stilwell
No! Please do not allow children to have them at all, Rebecca. If you want to make them for children, leave out the Crown Royal. They will still be delicious and alcohol-free. Let me know how they turn out for you!
Casey
I’m making these this weekend and using Crown Apple as this is my preferred Crown Royal. I drink Crown Apple with a half shot of Fireball and Cranberry juice...I mix equal parts Crown and Cranberry but some say that’s too strong...I say it’s just right!!
Mickyg
We have an annual pumpkin chuckin party. Crown royal with cold apple cider is awesome. If you like hot drinks warm it up and it's good.
Mike Snow
Can this recipe be made as a bundt cake? If so, how long would it need to cook?
Kelly Stilwell
I'm sorry, Mike. I haven't tried that so I'm just not sure. Let me know if you try it!