Watermelon Mojito Cupcakes

We doctored up a box of white cake mix using watermelon puree and flavored vodka to take it to the next level. For more classic flavors, click through for our shortcut mojito cupcakes.

Ingredients

• 1 (16.5 oz.) pkg. white cake mix
• ⅔ cup strained watermelon purée, from 1⅓ cups (1”) seedless watermelon cubes
• 3 egg whites
• 1⅓ cups salty watermelon flavored vodka (such as UV)
• ¼ cup oil
• 30 drops liquid red food coloring
• ¼ tsp. peppermint extract
• 30 drops liquid green food coloring
• 1½ cups butter, at room temp.
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• Watermelon fruit slice candies, cut into wedges

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 18 muffin cups with cupcake liners. On low speed, beat cake mix, watermelon purée, egg whites, ⅓ cup vodka and oil until combined. 30 seconds. On medium, beat 2 minutes. Stir in red food coloring. Divide among cupcake liners. Bake 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Immediately, using fork, poke 6 sets of holes into top of each cupcake. Brush tops with remaining 1 cup vodka. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on racks.
2. On low, gradually beat ¼ cup water, peppermint extract and green food coloring into frosting until just blended. On medium-high, beat until fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe over cupcakes; garnish
   with candies.