If you’re a licorice lover, these Anise Licorice Cupcakes will rock your socks off! They’re so cute with the little licorice gummy bear on top!
Anise Licorice Cupcakes
So while not everyone is a licorice fan, our family definitely loves it. I didn’t like it as a kid, but now it’s easily one of my faves.
Have you ever had the Jelly Belly licorice candy mix? The one with little pieces that are like Good N Plenty, with the red, black and white pieces, and some pieces that are covered in sprinkles? My dad has been a lover of that mix for forever.
He used to always have some hiding in his desk drawers in his home office. When I lived at home and had a craving for it, I’d go looking. Sometimes it was trying to hide underneath envelopes or papers or something. But you can’t hide sweets from me. No way! I will find them. Then I will eat it!
You’ve read my stories about us hiding sweets from each other before, right? My mom, dad and brother – we all did it. When we had something we liked and didn’t want to share, it had to be hidden or it would be eaten before you could say “Hey! Where did my cupcake go?”
I started filling my parents’ Christmas stockings back in college and I pretty much always include a bag of that stuff in my dad’s. Then I steal half of it. Win-win for me. 🙂
So I’ve been excited to try a licorice flavored cupcake for some time now.
The licorice flavor comes from the anise extract. Anise is actually a plant and it’s used to make things like black jelly beans and these classic Anise Cookies. Who knew?! I had always assumed licorice was some manufactured flavor, but it actually comes from a plant. Crazy!
For these cupcakes, I started with my usual cupcake and added the anise flavor. The icing also has anise, so this cupcake is licorice city!
The cute little bears sitting on top are actually a CVS brand gummy bear. I saw them the other day and couldn’t walk away without them. I knew they’d be perfect on top of my cupcake.
And while the mix might seem strange, I actually love the frilly, girly icing and potentially scary cake stand with the not-so-sophisticated bears. It’s like bears got a makeover and attended a super chic black and white event. You know, cuz why not? Plus, Halloween is a couple days away and everyone should get to dress up and go to a party. 🙂
You might also like:
- Moist and Fluffy Vanilla Cupcakes
- White Cupcakes
- Fluffy Angel Food Cupcakes
- Champagne Cupcakes
- Almond Amaretto Cupcakes
Anise Licorice Cupcakes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12–14 Cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
If you’re a licorice lover, these Anise Licorice Cupcakes will rock your socks off! They’re so cute with the little licorice gummy bear on top!
Ingredients
CUPCAKES
- 1 2/3 cups (240g) all purpose flour
- 1 cup (200g) sugar
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 cup salted butter (170g), room temperature
- 3 egg whites
- 2 tsp anise extract
- 1/2 cup (120ml) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
ICING
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tsp anise extract
- 3–4 tbsp water or milk
Instructions
CUPCAKES:
ICING:
Notes
You may notice little bits of butter in the batter, but that’s ok. They will melt into the cupcake as they bake.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Cupcake
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 43 g
- Sodium: 124.5 mg
- Fat: 25.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 57.3 g
- Protein: 3.6 g
- Cholesterol: 46.6 mg
Enjoy!
This looks amazing Do you have a cake version of this recipe?
I don’t, but you should be able to double the recipe for an 8 inch cake.
The second batch that I made was delicious. The first though, I had problems with the room temperature butter getting cold because of the cold milk and sour cream. It made the butter clump up. On the second batch I warmed up (room temp) the milk and sour cream. This fixed my problem.
can i make the icing out of whipped cream instead of butter?
You can top the cupcakes with whipped cream, if you prefer.
Dutch favorite is Zoutedroupe, a salty black licorice! Yum !!!
Thank you for this fantastic recipe! I am licorice addicted! The only question is do you buy anise extract or make yourself?
I buy the anise extract at the store.
i have star anise at home , how can i make or replace the extract instead
I’m not sure. I might try a quick Google search. I’ve seen that you can make vanilla extract by putting vanilla beans in vodka. You may be able to do something similar.
These sound absolutely amazing. I love Licorice and I love how innocent these look whilst hiding a big punchy flavour
I absolutely love black licorice! I didn’t think too many other people did, since when I mention anise is one of my favorite flavors, I usually received a look of disgust. I’ve eaten too many bags of licorice candies, including these bears, but my favorites are the large anise jelly beans my mom used to buy in the bulk section. And, yes, she would try to hide them from us, but we always knew her hiding places. I still hide my favorite foods from the rest of the family… Pinned and will be making these!
These cupcakes sound fantastic! Most interesting cupcakes I have seen!
In fact I DO love black licorice! I love those little bears on top of the cupcakes!! Cute!!
Those gummy bears are the cutest cupcake toppers and your frosting is beautifully piped! These cupcakes look incredibly moist! I think I would like the licorice flavor without the gummy candy. Pinned!
I cannot tell a lie. I am not a big licorice fan. HOW–EV-ER, my mother is obsessed with the stuff and we happen to be having a Halloween Party with my fam that these cupcakes are just screaming to be brought to! Pinned!
love love love these cupcakes and the CVS gummy bears on top! My kids love licorice so I definitely have to try these! I love that you used anise extract. I’ve only cooked with star anise, which I assume is essentially the same thing or derived from the same thing . . I can’t wait to meet you in Chicago next week! 🙂
I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but you are wrong. These little bears are totally sophisticated and adorable! Truly a unique and creative cupcake… well done!
(did you catch my pun up there? I couldnt resist)
I love black licorice. And anise extract. And good and plenty candy!!! Last year I made lemon and licorice cupcakes. Try adding the lemon to these next time, you might LOVE the combo!! Apparently it’s a scandanavian thing 🙂
Yes, it is definitely a German thing. Should try Springerlie cookies. The traditional recipe has lemon zest & anise.
You’ve just made me so happy! I LOVE licorice, but I always feel so alone because people tell me it’s gross. It’s not! It’s amazing!
And I am going crazy for that bear on top. Can you ship me a couple? 🙂