I have to admit, I was curious when I received a press release about one of Independent Distillers Canada (IDC) new alcoholic beverages based on Cadbury’s Caramilk bar—Caramilk Cream Liquor.
Caramilk Cream Liquor (Suggested Retail Price $27.95) is made with real cream, double distilled vodka, and fortified with brandy, offering a delicious combination of smooth caramel and rich chocolate flavours. When entertaining, offer your adult guests a little something extra by drizzling Caramilk Cream Liquor over dessert, adding a splash to coffee or hot chocolate or simply serving over ice or at room temperature to enjoy the subtle flavours. Caramilk Cream Liquor also makes a perfect stocking stuffer or hostess gifts for the adults on your list. Caramilk Cream Liquor contains 17% alcohol and is available in a 750 ml bottle. For an extra special Holiday touch, a free festive bottle bag comes with purchase at select retailers.
I was intrigued to try the Bailey’s-like liquor, even more so because it was touted for use in a large variety of recipes as well and I was curious to see how sweet this was. Bailey’s, whilst a perennial favourite of mine, can sometimes be a little on the sweet side and I could only imagine that the whole “Caramilk factor” might make this too sweet. A small glass proved me wrong, however, the brandy cutting the sweetness quite a bit so it was not at all cloying. Like Bailey’s, I would recommend this be consumed in moderation and it was much nicer on ice than at room temperature.
The recipes that accompanied the bottle were a variety of festive treats and I was excited to try the Caramilk muffin recipe. Even though I am not home over this holiday period, I remember from when I was little, we would always go over to my Nana’s house on Christmas morning, and sometimes New Year’s Day, for a special breakfast and these muffins, whilst a perfect snack for anytime of the day, would be a great addition to anyone’s (adult) holiday breakfast table. They’re kind of like a grown up version of the festive cupcakes I made with Les Petits Chefs a couple of weeks ago.
The add-ins I used were chosen because I had them on hand and I liked the festive colours of the cranberries against the pale muffin. The addition of chopped up Caramilk bar is genius and I will be baking again with them – the filling melts as the muffins bake, creating a gorgeous, gooey, caramel throughout the muffin. If you have leftovers, a quick zap in the microwave or gentle heating on a low temperature will “wake up” the melty caramel-y, chocolatey goodness!
These muffins begin with a simple all-purpose batter and can be made into a custom creation using a number of add-ins.
Yield: 12 muffins.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tbsp vanilla essence
1/2 cup butter at room temperature
1/2 cup Caramilk Liquor
100g bar Cadbury Caramilk chocolate, roughly chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
Method
Cream butter and sugar, slowly adding the eggs one at a time. Add vanilla and Caramilk liquor then slowly add milk. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Add the Caramilk bar pieces, dried cranberries and walnuts. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.
Scoop into muffin tins lined with paper baking cups and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
The resulting muffin was light and fluffy with a very very subtle hint of alcohol. They are not overly sweet and I loved the tartness of the cranberry against the sweetness of the muffin and the nutty walnuts. A perfect morning treat for the holidays (and beyond!)
Thanks to Julie from Broad Reach Communications for providing me with a sample bottle. Cheers!
howcome we do not have this over here in Melbourne?
Well you might have to pick up a bottle here in April!
I did not know about this new liquor. Your recipe sounds wonderful and I agree, it was genius to add the Caramilk bar, not to mention 1/2 cup of the Caramilk Liquor!
Yes I loved how the Caramilk bar melted in the muffin!
Pass me that muffin! Anything with a tad bit of liquor tastes that much better – flavorful! Great recipe!
Yes it’s a nice nod to the holidays!
I love Caramilk, unfortunately you can’t get anything Cadbury in South America, only Nestle 🙁
I did buy Bailey’s for Christmas though, it was pricey by Ecuadorian terms but oh so worth it.
Yes, it’s interesting what you can and can’t find in different countries. No Caramilk here in Mexico either!
Yum! I can’t find anything Cadbury here in the states
except at really small specialty stores. This looks worth searching
for.
Totally worth searching for!
Caramilk Cream Liquor!? This could get dangerous! 😉 The
chopped up chocolate in this muffin sounds delicious. I have to see
if I can find this liquor in my grocery store. Yummy!
The chopped up bars really are fabulous in these! And Bailey’s would make a fine substitute!
I love the sounds of these muffins. The gooey caramel description really sells me on trying these. Although I might have to make a trip over the border to get some caramilk liquer! I’m not sure if they sell it in the US!
Bailey’s would also work well in this…
If only they had Caramilk cream liquor across the border! Now those are my kind of muffins!
Might necessitate a trip to Canada, right? 😉
Caramilk was always my favourtite as a kid. Muffins with caramilk liqueur sounds like heaven to my inner child!
Caramilk still is my favourite but I prefer the ones from England…
I want a bottle of that caramilk! Seriously! If I get hold of one, it might just become my new obsession! I love that you used it in muffins. Perfect holiday treat!
Yes really, it just screams “holidays” doesn’t it?
Those muffins sound interesting. I am not sure about that much quantity of alcohol in muffins.
What is the calories of each serving?
See Jason’s response re: the alcohol. And really – if you are worried about the calories, these probably are not the muffin for you 😉 I don’t think they would be overly calorific though – they were fairly small compared to most store bought muffins.
Oh dear… they have turned one of my favorite candy bars into liquor … this can’t be good (well, I am sure it is good.. and that’s the problem!) . Adding it to muffins though makes it all right .. great idea!!
Yes, it’s a bit of a problem indeed when it is that good!
One word:
Yes, please!
Okay, so that’s two… SUE ME 😉
what a neat idea! they look delicious
Mardi your muffins look amazing. I made cupcakes with the Caramilk-Cream Vodka Coolers a while back and they came out amazing, everyone loved them. I’m sure the liqueur is just as tasty. Great idea using it in the muffins.
Ah, see now I could not face the cream coolers though I have them still. Might have to bake with those too!
What a yummy sounding liquor! I bet it made fantastic muffins.
I have never heard of this tasty delight before and of course you found a non-cocktail way to use it that makes it pop!
As far as the alcohol goes, you would expect 40-50% of it to be retained after cooking it for that long. Eight ounces of 17% liquor that cooks off to 50% divided by 12 muffins is 0.06 ounces of alcohol per complete muffin. You will perceive it, and even if you ate all 12 (ehhh, not a good plan for other reasons) you would only get 2/3 of an ounce of pure alcohol. That is less than a shot and a half of something 100 proof. That is certainly a stiff drink, but is not going to put you out for the rest of the day!
Jason
Thanks Jason for doing the math. It really is a minuscule amount!
Yes Jason, good maths!
In truth, even *thinking* about alcohol content in anything that is cooked or baked is almsot irrelevant, unless you’re in AA. Other than drenched trifles or rum balls, it simply is not worth worrying about.
You must know that I wear a crown for being the ‘Queen of adding Booze to almost anything Sweet’ right? These sound like they have to be included in my repertoire. Cadbury is so associated with Easter in our traditions; smart way to move it to the Christmas holiday as well!
Ah, high praise coming from the Queen of adding Booze!!!!
Sweet and boozy? Sign me up for a dozen of these muffins and throw in a bottle or two of the Caramilk Liqueur, if you please…
Happy New Year, Mardi!
It’s definitely a great combination! Happy New Year to you too!
Oooohh… must go find a bottle right now! Those muffins look great!
omg. i love caramlk, but caramilk liquor? that’s totally sinful!!! Gotta get it 🙂
Hehe, I read this aloud to Eric who claims the Caramilk is the “best ever”. I can almost taste these muffins, and I love the addition of the cranberries.
Happy New Year to you and Neil! I wish you the best in 2011 and hope that our paths cross somewhere!
That is high praise indeed coming from Eric!!! Me too, hope our paths cross soon!
OMG, a liqueur based on a Cadbury bar??? I am in heaven. I’ll definitely have to keep my eye out for that. It sounds amazing!
Yes I hope it makes its way to the US very soon!
You are so impressive, you’re on holiday AND you’re all over the blog posts like a trooper! I’m only in Spain for a few days and I’m struggling to keep up with Twitter!
These look beautiful. I’m not sure what Caramilk is, but if it makes it onto the UK shelves any time soon I’ll be picking up some to give it a try!
Jax x
Caramilk = Cadbury Caramel 🙂
The idea of basing a liquor on one of my favorite chocolate bars blows my mind! And I never would have thought to add it to a muffin recipe but it really sounds fantastic. I’d be tempted to add a splash or two to my cup of coffee while eating this 🙂
I know, right? What could be better???
Mmmm, I’d love this. I’ve tried a few chocolate style liquors but I like the recommendation that its not cloyingly sweet, sounds perfect. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Cheers – not sure if it’s available in Australia but look out for it!
Mmm anything baked with that liqueur can be nothing less than delicious. Those muffins look great! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thanks so much. It’s a nice little decadence!
sounds like a luscious addition to coffee! like maybe tomorrow morning . . . you know, first day back at school and all . . . 😉
LOL – a perfect addition to any morning tea!
Hmm… I think that Caramilk could quickly become a big problem for me. I’m already dreaming of all of the things I would make. And, it just might slip into my morning coffee!
Yes I am thinking I need to try it in coffee!