One Mint Julep

One mint julep cupcake, that is.  I wanted to make a dessert using my fresh chocolate mint, so I scoured one of my favorite food blogs, Smitten Kitchen, and found the perfect recipe:  Chocolate Souffle Cupcakes with Mint Whipped Cream.  I had a legitimate excuse to make a dessert (do you really have to have one?); Javalady had a dinner party. 

Here is the lovely table she set for us.  Isn't summer wonderful?

 

Here are the souffle cupcakes.  After they've fallen, they have a perfect spot to put a big dollop of mint cream on top!

I followed the recipe pretty much to a T, except I infused the whipping cream with the mint.  I brought the cream to a simmer and let the mint steep in it for a few minutes.  Then, I strained the mint out of the whipping cream, added the white chocolate to that and refrigerated it overnight.  The next day, I decided to add a little swig of bourbon to the cream while I was whipping it.  I highly recommend this addition; it gives it a wonderful subtle flavor.

Mint Julep Whipped Cream:  Mmm, Mmm, Good!