A Sweet Way to Ring In 2016

Sip and nibble your way into the New Year with these treats from journalist Elizabeth Chambers Hammer, 33, who— in addition to being chief correspondent for the Human Rights Foundation ( HRF)— owns Bird Bakery in her hometown of San Antonio with her husband, actor Armie Hammer ( The Man

From U. N. C. L. E.). This boozy cupcake and cocktail get a kick from St- Germain, a French liqueur made from elderflower blossoms.

ST- GERMAIN CUPCAKES

For cupcakes: Preheat oven to 300° F. Line 2 muffin tins with cupcake liners. Whisk together 3 ¼ cups flour, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, 1 Tbsp baking powder, ¼ tsp baking soda and ¼ tsp

salt. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup room- temperature buttermilk, ½ cup canola oil, 3 Tbsp St- Germain elderflower liqueur and 5 large egg yolks. Slowly beat in 1 cup unsalted butter, melted. Add flour mixture, beating on low speed to combine. Place 2 large egg

whites in a clean bowl. Using a beater with whisk attachment, beat whites until foamy. Gradually add ¼ cup granulated sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Fold egg whites into batter. Fill each cupcake liner three- quarters full. Bake 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire rack. For frosting: Beat 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened, and 1 ½ lb ( 6 cups)

confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl. Beat in ¼ cup St- Germain elderflower liqueur, 2 Tbsp milk and 2 tsp vanilla extract. Spread or pipe frosting evenly over cupcakes. Makes 24 cupcakes.

ST- G CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Pour 2 oz St- Germain elderflower liqueur in a champagne flute. Top with 3 oz sparkling wine; garnish with lemon twist. Serves 1.