Baking for the Bach: Country-fied Cupcakes

This week on The Bachelor...there's a note about a country-themed group date and a pretty dream-worthy shopping trip with Rachel, on top of another one-on-one where he shows off his cooking prowess—here's hoping it's a little better than whatever that dancing was last week. But before I throw out this week's recipe breakdown, let's break down just a fraction of the thoughts I had about the last episode.

While Fall in Love Fest was a bit of a let down—it was more like a Fall in Love Relay Race—Katie redeemed the episode by being a true treasure and voice of reason among some very catty opposition. And I have to admit, I laughed out loud a bit when, after trying (& failing) to tear Katie down, Victoria was later interrupted by Chris during her time with Matt...although, while I don't condone it, I did also find it kind of funny and shocking that she was ballsy enough to grab a crown off someone's head. But the biggest out-of-character surprise came when she said she was happy an "OG girl won" the relay race even though it wasn't her. That is probably the closest we are ever going to get to a compliment from Victoria.

Shocker of the episode number two: did Matt actually propose a toast to the new girls as if all the OGs would cheers with him and welcome them with open arms? On the flipside, I will say that what he lacks in experience, production makes up for in great dates. Seriously. Between the four-wheeling, zip lines and hot air balloon, Matt's season is like everything I wish my birthright adrenaline trip would have been, but didn't quite live up to.

Also, on a semi-unrelated note, I saw that Bennett is now doing some fan-influenced Bachelor night cooking and I want copyright credit—but I'd settle for a guest appearance /collab. Anyone got his number?

Anyway, this week's recipe is a fancied-up, country-inspired recipe. The real "country" element being a southern staple: bourbon (special thanks to my cousin for the brainstorming help on that one). Yes, the topping is the real hero of this dish, but I'm sure these cakes would be equally great on their own. And in case you were wondering, I did not factor in the fact that I might be stranded by a snowstorm in an apartment with at least a dozen delicious and boozy cupcakes, but it definitely doesn't make the prospect of my time indoors harder.

You can use whatever cupcake recipe is your fave, but I went with this one because of the addition of maple—and the boozy buttercream add-on. If you're going for the Bourbon Maple Frosting, I'd stick to this! The Bourbon Maple Buttercream was fairly simple to pull together, especially because I left out my originally planned topping of flambeed bananas—saving that ace in the hole for another day.

Right off the bat, taking these cupcakes out of the oven, I could feel how pillowy soft they were. On first taste, I was taken by the sweetness from the maple and how it gives the cake a fun additional sugary burst that is kind of irresistible, even without frosting.

But about that frosting—phenomenal! And that's not just the booze talking. Maple Old Fashioneds are becoming more on-trend in menus and I can see why. The bourbon doesn't overpower the frosting too much and the maple covers any harsh taste from the alcohol even more, giving it a boozy kick without triggering any gag reflex you may have from one too many shots on a night out.

We may all be at risk of being snowed in tomorrow, but if y'all have these ingredients on hand, and a working stove/oven, these—and the new Bachelor episode—will make it muchhhhh easier to handle.