STARBUCKS CUPCAKE

Coffee Frosting with Starbucks Via Ingredients: 2 packets Starbucks via Columbia {I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you're supposed to cook with wine you'd drink, shouldn't that be the same for coffee? } 3/4 cup coffee flavored liqueur 4 large egg whites 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature Instructions: In a small bowl, combine the Starbucks via with the coffee liqueur and stir until dissolved, set aside. in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, whisk together the egg whites and sugar until the sugar is dissolved, and the mixture is warm to the touch, about 2-3 minutes.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk, beat the egg white/sugar mixture on high speed until sift peaks have formed, about 6 minutes.Switch to the paddle attachment and with the mixture on medium to low speed, add the butter a few tablespoons at a time. beating well after each addition. continue beating until smooth and fluffy. {the frosting might appear to separate but keep beating until smooth.} with the mixer on low speed, add the coffee and liqueur mixture until smooth. {again the frosting might appear to separate, especially at this addition, but keep beating until smooth.} beat on the lowest speed to remove any air bubbles, about 2 minutes. (The above recipe, picture, and instructions came from www.starbucks.com) Oh, this is just too good. So good in fact, that not one, but two of my friends sent me the link to this fabulousness. So good, I'm making up words! If you've been playing along, then you know about my small little Starbucks obsession and the ever growing cupcake obsession...so it only stands to reason that when the two obsessions merge---MY LIFE IS COMPLETE! I can hardly sit here typing, knowing that I could be making these cupcakes...better yet, eating these cupcakes. So, as soon as Gabe wakes up from his nap, and I mean as soon, we are tearing rubber out of here to the closest Starbucks to get the necessary items for the cupcakes. Woo hoo! And please consider clicking on this link...and this one...girls after my own heart! One is "The Cupcake Activist" and the other is "Java Cupcake"---much better than "Crazy Cupcake Lady"! Great minds do think alike.