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Cookies with champagne, name a better way to start the new year…I dare you.
It’s crazy to think it’s almost 2020 already. It feels like yesterday that I was making a list of goals/plans for 2019.
Each year for Christmas I get a new planner, and in that planner, before the New Year starts, I make a list of things I plan to do or accomplish that year and then cross them out as the year goes on. If you’ve been following along for a while you’ve heard me say many of times, my planner is my life. I don’t go anywhere without it, so having this list in my planner is a perfect way to check in throughout the year to make sure I’m checking off things on the list. This past year, one thing I put on the list was to “cook/bake outside of the box”. Just like anything in life, things can become very routine which is something I normally love. That is until I sit down for dinner and realize it’s the fourth night in a row that I made roasted Brussels sprouts, grilled chicken and quinoa. Routine can be nice for some things but not when it comes to food. Nobody wants to eat the same thing every day nor do you want to cook the same thing every day – even if sometimes it’s a quick and easy option because you most likely have all the ingredients and know exactly what you’re doing so won’t waste time testing and googling how to work with certain ingredients. For 2019, I made it a goal to cook outside of the box. What exactly do I mean by this? I mean work with ingredients I’ve never worked with before, try new techniques and cook/bake things that are outside my normal Pinterest food finds.
One of my favorite ways to discover new ingredients to cook with is to roam the grocery store without a list. I love going to ALDI and browsing their wide selection of seasonal, high-quality products at unbeatable prices. And if you’re in a pinch or are a person who prefers to browse ingredients online, you’re in luck. ALDI offers grocery delivery and is now offering delivery of wine and beer nationwide via Instacart (state and local laws pending). Use code ALDIHOLIDAY19 to enjoy free delivery on your first order of $35 or more* including my Instacart shopping list that can be found here with all the ingredients you need to whip up these bubbly treats.
While I still made a lot of Brussels sprouts, chicken and quinoa, I also did try a bunch of new things this past year like making homemade soups (so easy, not sure why I didn’t do this more before), cooking with an air fryer, not cheating and buying the pre-cut veggies and one of my favs, cooking with alcohol. I’ve done a few recipes in the past where it called for white wine to be added but never have I baked with champagne and never would I turn down a chance to bake with some bubbly.
So whether you’re going to a friend’s party or staying in and celebrating in your pjs, grab the bubbly as these Sugar Cookie Cups with Champagne Buttercream are the perfect addition to your celebration!
Sugar Cookie Cups with Champagne Buttercream
Ingredients
Cookie Cups
- ¾ cup Unsalted Butter
- 1 Cup Simply Nature Organic Cane Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 2 Tsp Stonemill Essentials Vanilla Extract
- 2 Cups Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour
- 3 Tsp Baker’s Corner Baking Powder
- 2 Tsp Baker’s Corner Corn Starch
Champagne Buttercream
- ¾ Cup of any champagne, prosecco or sparkling wine (I used Burlwood Brut Sparkling and also love the Belletti Extra Dry Italian Prosecco)
- 1 Cup Unsalted Butter
- 4 Cups Baker’s Corner Powdered Sugar
- 1 Tsp Stonemill Essentials Vanilla Extract
- Sprinkles (optional for topping)
Instructions
For the Cookie Cups -
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a mini cupcake pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar together on high for 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and corn starch until combined.
5. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the bowl with the butter mixture and mix until smooth.
6. Make tablespoon size dough balls and press them into the cupcake pan. Using your fingers or the back of a floured teaspoon, push dough down in the center to create the cup. Dough will rise when baking so make sure the cup is deep.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer to cooling rack to finish cooling. If the centers aren’t cupped enough to add filling, use the end of a wooden spoon or the bottom of a tablespoon to press the center down a bit.
For the Frosting -
1. In a small saucepan, bring the champagne to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce to medium heat and allow to simmer until reduced down to 1/4 cup, about 7-10 minutes. Set aside to cool completely. You want it room temperature or cold.
2. In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the butter on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar 1 cup at a time. Once creamy and combined, beat in 3 tablespoons of the reduced champagne and the vanilla extract and beat on high until light and fluffy. You can add more champagne if you’d like, just be careful not to add too much that it alters the consistency.
To assemble -
1. Using a piping bag with a star tip, pipe the buttercream onto the cookie cups and top with gold sanding sugar or your favorite festive sprinkles.
Notes
Recipes By from Sally’s Baking Addiction and Life, Love and Sugar
What are your cooking/baking goals for 2020? Have you been to your local ALDI and tried any new ingredients lately? Share your ALDI shopping experience below. Always love to hear or new things to try!
*ALDIHOLIDAY19: Free delivery offer valid until Dec. 31, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on first $35+ order with one retailer. If alcohol products are included, $0.01 alcohol service fee applies. Other fees, taxes, and/or tips may apply. Delivery subject to availability; not available in all ZIP/post codes. See additional terms: inst.cr/promo-terms.
Cheers to a sweet New Years treat! The recipe sounds great and easy. It would make the celebration into the New Year 2020 sweet!! Thanks for the recipe and I totally love Aldi! Steven and Joey loved to go when they were little. They took turns with the quarter to get the shopping cart! One would get the cart and the other would return it to get the quarter back!!! Happy Baking Megan Hahahahaha !
The recipe sounds great! I’m having a few guests for NewYears Eve and think these would make a nice addition to the party. Love to shop at Aldis their prices are reasonable and their produce is good. I also buy fresh flowers there too .