• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Quick Links

Love Mischka

  • Recipes
    • Drinks
  • DIY & Crafts
  • Wellness
  • For Dogs
  • Subscribe
Home » Recipes

Published: Nov 17, 2019 · Modified: Apr 7, 2022 by Mischka

Fireball Poke Cupcakes - How to Make This Boozy Favorite

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

These Fireball Poke Cupcakes are easy, addictive, and INCREDIBLE. If you like Fireball Whisky, you NEED to try these. 

Fireball Poke Cupcakes

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at NO extra cost to you, if you click a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!! :o)

I LOVE boozy cupcakes. Years ago, one of my closest friends discovered a bakery in RI that sold “Tipsy Cupcakes”… we were frequent customers. There’s something unique about them, even after all these years. 

Every Christmas, I try to make one favorite dish for each family member… It’s a lot of work. My cousin LOVES Fireball Whisky, so I naturally made Fireball Cupcakes. They were a HUGE hit!!! People have been specially requesting them ever since.

This recipe has been adapted from Dish.com's Best Fireball Cupcakes Recipe.

I eventually made a Fireball Poke Cake with Caramel (you add caramel to the poked holes). That was also a HUGE hit. My aunt, who is VERY picky about food, was OBSESSED. I now combine the two - the cupcakes and the poke cake. 

Hence, Fireball Poke Cupcakes!!!

Fireball Poke Cupcakes

How to Make Fireball Poke Cupcakes

They’re extremely easy to make. It all starts with a box of cake mix. I prefer to use Betty Crocker’s YELLOW cake mix. The key is to use Fireball Whisky instead of water. That’s it! And, to add one teaspoon of cinnamon for a little extra kick. Otherwise, you follow the directions on the box! 

For a limited time, this 40-page Printable Planner Bundle (to help organize every area of your life) is available at a special discount price.

For a limited time, this 40-page Printable Planner Bundle (to help organize every area of your life) is available at a special discount. Get it now to have an easier, more productive 2021.

Once the cupcakes are baked and cooled, poke holes in most of them. I do not add caramel to every cupcake. I always include some plain fireball cupcakes in addition to the fireball poke cupcakes. You can distinguish the difference by using different color cupcake liners and/or a different candy topping. 

I like to use Atomic FireBalls for the Fireball POKE Cupcakes. For the regular, non-poked Fireball Cupcakes, I usually use Hot Tamales or Cinnamon Gummy Bears. The Gummy Bears are ADORABLE, but harder to find. 

Fireball Poke Cupcakes

How to Make Fireball Buttercream Frosting

The frosting was a little more difficult to figure out than the cake recipe. It took me a while to figure out the correct amounts. There were times when I ended up with BOWLS of extra frosting because I could not figure out how to get the correct texture and taste. I just kept adding more powdered sugar… then more butter… then more Fireball Whisky… and the cycle continued!

Fortunately, I figured it out and can save you the hassle… and calories! Now, it’s simple and easy. You just need butter, fireball whisky, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.

I mix everything by hand, so it takes some time to mix it smooth. If you have a hand mixer, it’ll whip up in no time at all. You can do it without a mixer though! I’m living proof! I always make HUGE messes with those things!

Fireball Poke Cupcake Essentials

Here are some ingredients and tools to make baking your boozy treats easier. I only recommend products that I use and LOVE. Happy Baking!!!

Mixing Bowls - These Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Airtight Lids by REGILLER are AWESOME. They include different sizes and different color lids, which make them perfect for storing food as well as mixing batter. I love multi-purpose items. Each bowl has measurement lines inside. AND has a non-slip silicone bottom, so your bowl won't fly away while mixing.... It happens...

Spatulas - I used to only use regular Tablespoons to mix and gather. Then, I tried a spatula. It makes things so much easier! No more wasted batter! I like this High Heat-Resistant Premium Silicone Spatula Set. It's BPA-Free, Nonstick, AND includes four different shapes for various gathering needs.

Measuring Cups & Spoons — I prefer different color cups and spoons, so I can quickly identify which one I need (after awhile, you naturally memorize which amount is which color). This 12 Piece Measuring Cups and Spoons Set by U-Taste is rust-resistant, sturdy, and dishwasher-safe. It includes 12 different sizes, including 2/3 cup and 3/4 cup.  

Fireball Poke Cupcakes

More Baking Essentials

Cupcake Pan - Wilton's Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Muffin and Cupcake Pan is great, inexpensive, and effective.

Cupcake Liners - I LOVE using these Wilton Baking Cups for this recipe. They're adorable. You could also use a solid red cupcake liner. The red visually compliments and balances any red toppings.

Speaking of toppings… 

Atomic Fireballs (my absolute favorite to use)

Cinnamon Gummy Bears

Red Hots

Hot Tamales

Sprinkles

For the poking… 

Smucker’s Sundae Syrup Caramel - The squeezable bottle makes filling in the "poke" sooo much easier!

Cupcake Caddy with Cupcake Pan - I am OBSESSED with my Main Stay 24 Cupcake Carrier. I’ve had it for years. It makes transporting cupcakes extremely easy. They don’t shift, flip, or mush together. I also use it to store my cupcakes. It keeps them fresh for awhile! The bottom shelf of the caddy is a nonstick cupcake pan! I use mine to bake all the time. Gotta love multi-purpose items! *This item is currently unavailable on Amazon. Buddeez Cake and Cupcake Carrier is pretty great too. You can snap multiple carriers together. It doesn't include a nonstick cupcake baking pan, BUT it does include cut-and-serve utensil.

A cupcake with fluffy white frosting and a fireball on top sits next to a half full bottle of Fireball Whisky.
Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Fireball Poke Cupcakes – How to Make This Boozy Favorite

These Fireball Poke Cupcakes are easy, addictive, and INCREDIBLE. If you like Fireball Whisky, you NEED to try these. 
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients

Boozy Cupcakes

  • 1 box Yellow Cake Mix (you can use Vanilla instead. I just prefer the taste of the yellow).
  • 1 cup Fireball Whisky (instead of water)
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon ground
  • 1 bottle Smucker’s Sundae Syrup Caramel in a squeezable bottle (it makes filling the holes soooo much easier)

Boozy Frosting

  • 2 Tbsp Fireball Whisky
  • 1/2 cup Butter softened
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 2 1/4 cups Powdered Sugar

Instructions

For the Fireball Cupcakes:

  • *** Follow the directions on the cake mix box, except substitute Fireball Whisky for water.*** Use 1 cup of Fireball Whisky instead of the 1 cup of water that the box calls for. 
  • Mix and bake as directed by the box.
  • Let the cupcakes cool completely. 

Poking with Caramel

  • With a straw, poke holes in the cupcakes. If you want more caramel flavor, add more holes. If you want less, poke less holes. I usually poke 2-3 holes in each cupcake. 
  • Pour caramel in each hole. This is WAAAYYY easier with the squeezable bottle, which is why I listed it in the ingredients. You can aim directly in the hole. Add a little caramel to each hole and wait. If you rush or add a lot, it will overflow. I like to put a little caramel in each cupcake then circle back around. Once the caramel flows down, you will see if you need more. If the hole isn’t completely full, add a little more. 

For the Fireball Buttercream:

  • In a large bowl, beat room temperature butter.
  • Add Fireball Whisky and Vanilla Extract. Continue to mix.
  • Gradually add the powdered sugar. Mix on low until combined.
  • Once combined, increase the speed to medium-high and beat until thick and creamy (about 1-2 minutes).
  • Frost your boozy cupcakes and decorate!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe! Please let me know what you think!

« How to Make EASY, Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
13 Budget-Friendly Baking Essentials »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie says

    May 02, 2020 at 6:06 pm

    My cupcakes completely sunk with this recipe. I don’t think swapping the alcohol for water was a good idea. They were also very dry.

    Reply
    • Mischka says

      May 02, 2020 at 6:24 pm

      I'm truly SHOCKED to read this. I have made this recipe SO many times for YEARS. My cupcakes have NEVER sunk at all. I'm so surprised. I've also never had any complaints about them being dry. Most people say the opposite. I wonder if something else affected your cupcakes. Oven times do vary. Maybe they were baked too long?

      Reply
    • Mischka says

      May 02, 2020 at 6:33 pm

      I just did some research. Over-beating the batter can cause cupcakes to collapse. Overfilling the cupcake liners, underbaking, incorrect mixing (not in the order needed) can all also cause them to collapse. Because you said the cupcakes were dry, I would say the issue wasn't underbaking. That usually occurs if a baked item is baked a little too long. Like I said before, oven times vary. Sometimes, by a crazy amount. I will edit the post to encourage people to check with a toothpick and change the time depending on their own oven needs. Thank you for your comment!

      Reply
  2. Dulce says

    August 01, 2021 at 12:28 am

    5 stars
    I just made these for the first time and they turned out amazing!!! I made them for my best friend who loves fireball- we are celebrating her bday tomorrow and I’m going to surprise her with them! Hope she loves them too! Thank you for the recipe!!

    Reply
  3. Marie says

    October 28, 2022 at 6:38 pm

    5 stars
    I followed this recipe exactly. It was about 2 minutes before the cupcakes were done so I wanted to check them. To my surprise when I opened the oven, it was like the flames from hell. Flames bellowed out. That was scary!!!! I hope my oven is not ruined.
    Delicious but did not like the flame. I don’t think I’ll make them again.
    Thanks.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easy, Fun, Homemade Pina Colada Cupcakes - Love Mischka says:
    December 29, 2020 at 11:54 pm

    […] I’m a big fan of boozy cupcakes, like these Fireball Poke Cupcakes – How to Make This Boozy Favorite. […]

    Reply
5 from 5 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

CATEGORIES

  • Recipes
  • Drinks
  • DIY & Crafts
  • Wellness
  • For Dogs

DON'T MISS THESE!

  • A pale yellow lemon cupcake with beautiful swirled vanilla buttercream sits on a neon green and white plaid cloth next to a slice of lemon.
    Easy Lemon Cupcakes from Scratch
  • One Carrot Cake Cookie with white cream cheese frosting and an orange carrot made out of frosting with a green stem.
    Easy Carrot Cake Cookie Recipe {with Cream Cheese Frosting}
  • A stack of tan, round cookies with bright rainbow sprinkles on a neon pink table.
    Easy Funfetti Cookies from Scratch
  • A stack of golden brown Almond Joy Cookies next to coconut chocolate chip cookies, a white bowl of milk chocolate chips, and a glass of white milk.
    Easy Almond Joy Cookie Recipe
  • Fluffy white sugar scrub with pink and white sprinkles in a mason jar on a piece of wood with pink and purple confetti.
    How to Make Easy DIY Sugar Scrub
  • Two handmade flamingo centerpieces with hot pink tissue paper pom poms stand next to a sign that says, "DIY".
    DIY Flamingo Centerpiece with Tissue Paper Pom Poms

MOST POPULAR RECIPES

  • A closeup of soft, moist brown banana bread.
    Simple Banana Bread Recipe - Easy, Moist, & Delicious
  • Close Up of a stack of dark brown hot chocolate cookies with marshmallow creme icing and various toppings - marshmallows, candy canes, chopped chocolate.
    Easy Hot Cocoa Cookies - Made with Hot Chocolate Mix
  • Cranberry Bliss Cookies topped with white frosting and chopped dried cranberries.
    Cranberry Bliss Bar Cookies - A New Way To Enjoy The Starbucks' Favorite
  • An Apple Cider Donut Muffin with brown sugar and cinnamon on top.
    How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donut Muffins
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Quick Links

Footer

↑ back to top

The Nitty Gritty

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

Love Mischka is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at NO extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use and love. Thank you for your support! ❤️

Copyright © 2022 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.