Once upon a time (ye olde 1990′s), in a land far, far away (Boston), there lived a Girl.
This Girl was in school, getting into life, rocking floral prairie dresses and combat boots to class (whatever – it was a phase).
At the same time, in the same place, there lived a Boy.
This Boy was also in school, getting into life, rocking a mullet to class (whatever – it was a phase.).
The first day of class rolled around and Girl showed up in style, red prairie dress flowing, combat boots polished. Boy was already seated in the back row, mulleted locks glistening.
What was this? The desk next to Boy was available. Girl took it. Cue the shy conversation and sidelong glances.
Class ended and Girl worked up the courage to invite Boy to her next 90210 viewing party. Just keeping it cool, classy and sophisticated-like.
Boy accepted.
Girl scurried off to plan a 90210 viewing party.
The night of the party arrived, and so did Boy, proffering a brand new bottle of mezcal.
And guess what? This bottle had TWO worms in it. Two worms for two silly people. It must be fate.
Girl needed to bring this one home. She was smitten. She suspected Boy was too.
What to do?
She had it! Girl challenged Boy to a Mezcal Sipping Contest. Just keeping it cool, classy and sophisticated-like.
Never mind that Boy was a hockey-playing fraternity brother who had over 100 pounds on her. Never you mind!
It’s really just simple math:
(1 dumb Girl with mezcal breath + 1 particularly fetching prairie dress)2 agave worms = 1 impressed Boy
Right?
Several hours, several sips and two agave worms later, Girl was admiring all of the pretty stars underneath the coffee table. Just -say it with me- keeping it cool, classy, and sophisticated-like.
And let’s just keep this Elegance Train chugging away, shall we? Let’s continue to argue with Boy that you clearly won the Mezcal Sipping Contest, even as your pity-taking roommate gently tucks you in to bed. Clearly. Naturally. Elegant.
Flash forward to the next morning. Girl is experiencing a particularly lovely blend of worm breath and self loathing. Was she really that stupid? Duh. Yes.
But, ho! What’s this knock at the door? It’s Boy! Holding a bottle of Advil and an invitation to lunch!
It must be love. And it was.
Many more years and much less mezcal later, Boy & Girl are living happily ever after.
They may or may not have shared a little mezcal last night, the night of their 13th anniversary. But one thing’s for sure. They’re still just doing their best to keep it classy, cool and sophisticated-like at all times.
The End.
A note on mezcal & these cupcakes: Mezcal, or mescal, is a distilled spirit made from the heart of the maguey plant. While maguey is a type of agave plant, mezcal is not the same thing as tequila; in fact, tequila is a type of mezcal that is made only from the blue agave plant. Most mezcals are produced in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, and Oaxacan mezcals are often bottled and sold con gusano, or with an agave worm. These worms are the larval form of a moth that lives on maguey plants, and are meant to be eaten with the mezcal.
While I did include mezcal in these cupcakes, I could not bring myself to include actual agave worms, hence the gummy worms. A good quality mezcal (I was able to purchase this bottle for $20) has a lovely, smoky flavor with notes of citrus and earthy spice. The flavor and aroma of the drink does come through in these cupcakes, but it is not overpowering. You can absolutely substitute tequila for the mezcal, or, if you would like to omit the alcohol all together, simply use orange juice or double the buttermilk. Either way this is a fun, simple cupcake recipe that goes very well with the peanut butter frosting. Enjoy!
Mezcal Cupcakes Con Gusano & Peanut Butter Frosting
For the cupcakes:
3/4 c. dark brown sugar, tightly packed
3/4 c. white sugar, granulated
1/2 c. vegetable shortening
3 large eggs
3/4 c. buttermilk
3/4 c. mezcal (see note above for substitution suggestions)
2 1/2 c. self-rising flour
For the frosting:
1 c. confectioners’ sugar
1 c. smooth peanut butter
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
1/3 c. heavy cream
gummy worms for finishing
Preheat oven to 350°.
Line standard-sized cupcake molds with paper liners and set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugars together. Add the eggs, which should unify and smooth out the mixture. Beat in the mezcal, buttermilk and flour, mixing until you have a uniform batter. Fill each mold approximately three quarters full and bake for 23-25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Set baked cakes aside to cool.
Meanwhile, beat confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, softened butter and vanilla extract together in a large bowl. Once all of these ingredients are well-blended, add the cream and continue beating until smooth.
Generously frost the top of each cupcake and finish with gummy worms.
YIELD: 22 cupcakes
Really nice post and adorable cupcake! I would like to showcase this recipe on my cupcake recipes & ideas blog if you agree. Best regards.
You are welcome to showcase with link back and attribution. Have a great day!
What a lovely way to get lubed up while you enjoy a delicious treat!
Love this story! Prairie dress and combat boots? Thank goodness it was a phase
Hehehe! You definitely are cool, classy, and sophisticated-like! Great post, Meagan.
Um. This had me in happy tears. It must be the Nyquil.
Maybe you don’t need to hear this again, but this post deserves it. Really cute story! Congrats on your anniversary. I’m also really glad you left out the real worm eating part….Don’t know if that would have been too cool, classy and sophisticated-like. But who I am to judge?
Can I just say, I can’t take much more of you anymore? This is by far one of my favorite stories. And you cracked me up with your Frito addiction confession. I can believe your husband sold you out on your perfume of choice. I hope the guilt trip you gave him was a long one.
Anyway, thank you for the laughs. I thoroughly enjoy your blog. You have a great mix of story telling, pictures, and recipes that keeps me coming back. Keep it up!
Thanks, Elise! Your comment made my day.
What a cute story! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Congrats on 13 years that is just fantastic! Your cupcakes are just too cute with the worms on top to signify the worm in the liquor. Too cute!
What a fun and beautiful story – I loved it, especially the part when A. shows up the next day with Advil! Question for you: does A. still have that mullet? Ha! Happy Anniversary, again, to two awesome people!
Adorable story and outrageously cute cupcakes! I *love* the gummy worms.
Great writing. Hilarious story. I started giggling as soon as I saw the first gummy worm!
Wonderful story and Happy 13th anniversary! I wish you many more wonderful years.
Your cupcake recipe is so unique, I had to save it. Never tried Mezcal, but I have been inspired by your post. Well done. I am sure I will be seeing this in the top 9!
AW!!! That was the cutest story! Congrats on 13 yrs!
Love how the cupcakes blend in with the story. Great post, gorgeous cupcakes!
Ooooh, these look adorable and tasty! I remember mescal, actual worm included. Innnteresting experience!
Beautiful story, too.
Aw that is such a funny and cute story! That’s how you know it’s love when they stick around despite acting a little on the non-sophisticated side! lol
I love the story of the boy and girl. I’m glad they are still living happily ever after. My husband and I also met with booze bringing us together
Those cupcakes are a great way to say happy anniversary!!!!
one of the best posts i’ve ever read, so touching
The mezcal cupcake looks so delicious. This ought to be a fairytale 
Happy anniversary! That’s such an adorable story, it put such a HUGE smile on my face. ^_^
Thank you so much, Allison! Hugs, Meagan
Happy Anniversary….*sigh* what a great story! Buzzed!
What a great post with a perfect love story, booze, and cupcakes! Not sure it gets any better than this!!
This ought to be made into a movie!
Love the gummy worms!
What a great story and beautiful cupcakes!
Love it! That is a great story to pass on one day!! (you, know, to people over 18….) The cupcakes look lovely and the worm on top is just perfect! Happy anniversary!
How cool is it that you just managed to combined all of my favorite things in one post? Love stories, booze, cupcakes, BOOZY CUPCAKES, and gummy candy. I knew I liked you. Hope that mezcal drinking went well last night : )
Having just graduated from college myself, I laughed the whole way through this post. The outfits and hairstyles may have changed (I’m not necessarily saying for the better…), but there are some things that will never change. I never did try wooing a man through a drinking contest though…perhaps that would explain a lot…
While the whole agave worm thing freaks me out (just to be honest), these cupcakes do look pretty darn good! I may have to try them out sometime soon.
Great love story! Happy Anniversary!
The cupcakes are adorable.
Oh god, I LOVE this post!! Congrats on the anniversary and the story is lovely.
The cupcakes look fabulous too! yum… tequila cupcakes…wow
So glad you chose gummy bears…otherwise…LOL
Love, love, love the love story!
A very cute story. And i know how you feel *wink
Such a beautiful story Scarletta, Happy Anniversary!
the cupcakes are so cute!
aww this is adorable! and the cupcakes look delish. ps i’m pretty sure i thought combat boots, prairie dresses and brenda walsh were the three coolest things in the world in the 90s…
Donna Martin graduates!
Donna Martin graduates!
Donna Martin graduates!
The gummi worm “Love” is brilliant. Brilliant.
These cupcakes are classy, cool and sophisticated.
Meagan, What a great story! The read warranted several smiles. The story’s ending is as sweet as the cupcakes themselves. Happy annivesary!
What an adorable story, you have a creative writing hand!
And so glad you used gummies instead
This is a wonderful story…happy aniversary…!!!
Hi there, Pete’s sister. Been lurking in the shadows for months now, but thought I’d say hi, and happy anniversary!
These cupcakes sound deeeelicious. A thought: since a smoky, spiced flavor is the kicker here, I suppose a reposado, or better yet, an anejo, would be the best tequila substitution, yes? I’d imagine a blanco would get lost in the mix.
Looking forward to meeting you over Thanksgiving…and happily tasting anything you feel inclined to whip up
~Monica
Monica! You are so sweet for commenting! A. and I are really looking forward to Thanksgiving as well, and not just because the mezcal will likely be flowing like rainwater.
In regard to your question (You know your tequila, girl! I’m impressed.), I absolutely would go with an aged tequila as a substitute for the mezcal in these cupcakes. The woody flavor and smell of an añejo is a very good match for mezcal, and would be really lovely with the peanut butter frosting I think.
I hope this helps! Hugs, Meagan (I just messaged you!)
These look freaking delish! Love this recipe.
Happy Anniversary! I’ll take alcohol in my cupcakes any day of the week.
Awesome story. I hung on every word. Happy Anniversary!!
Pass me a cupcake please!
YEP! I love this!
I love this story and the stylings in the pics. I’m not entirely sure about the cupcakes. I don’t think I was even paying attention to the cupcakes, sorry. But, that is an adorable story.
I absolutely love everything about this post! Mezcal..cupcakes..and love! Gorgeous photos!
LOVE that story! Of course, I’m going to try those cupcakes, too. I especially love the gummy worms as a garnish.
These are so cute with the gummy worm on top! I love the cupcakes and the story. And I have some floral combat boots you can borrow. The 90s are totally back.