Yum + Summer = Arnold Palmer Cupcakes!

I was searching around the net yesterday for a new, fun summer recipe when I stumbled upon Paula Dean's (you know how I adore her!) Arnold Palmer Cupcakes*! If idea alone isn't enough to win you over, just watch Paula make them in the video below:

(*Sidenote: and Arnold Palmer is a drink made from half sweet tea, half lemonade and is named after the famous golfer as it is purported to be his favorite drink!) 

Here's Paula's recipe:

• 1 cup milk
• 5 black tea bags
• 1 cups unsalted butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tablespoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoons salt
• Arnold Palmer Frosting, recipe follows

Directions

In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat milk until hot to the touch. Place tea bags in hot milk, and let steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags. Let milk cool.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with paper liners.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add 1/2 cup milk and tea mixture, lemon zest and lemon juice. Mix well.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add dry mix into the wet ingredients.

Spoon batter evenly into prepared muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread or pipe Arnold Palmer Frosting evenly over cupcakes.

Arnold Palmer Frosting:

• 1 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup reserved milk/tea mixture
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

In a large bowl, beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar alternately with tea/milk mixture slowly. Beat in lemon juice until creamy.