CUPCAKES

So i was looking through my pictures today and I realized that I never blogged about my amazing Thanksgiving cupcakes!! Since last time i went to Rupert for Thanksgiving (when Brad and I were dating) I was kinda sick, I wanted to make up for ditching out on Thanksgiving dinner early by making some wondrous treat for everyone. This year I have had somewhat of an obsession with anything Pumpkin, so i made some beautiful Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes (but really more like muffins).

I spent a lot of time trying to make them look pretty, and I think they turned out pretty tasty! They have a wonderful cream cheese frosting and a square of Hershey bar stuck on the top! Here are a few pics of my masterpieces with the recipe underneath. Enjoy!




Spiced Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes (found on blessthisfood.blogspot.com)

2 2/3 cup AP flour
2tsp baking soda
2tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice*
1 tsp salt
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can pumpkin (or squash)*
1 cup white sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350
Line muffins cups with liners

in a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin pie spice & salt. set aside.

using a stand mixer, mix together the pumpkin, white sugar, dark brown sugar & oil until combined. add the eggs one at a time making sure to mix well after each addition.

add the dry mixture to the wet mixture in 3 parts- mixing until JUST combined after each addition (over-mixing is a no no)

flour the chocolate chips (add 1tsp flour to the chips & shake- this keeps them from sinking) & then stir into the batter

fill the muffin cup 3/4 of the way & bake for 20-25 min (mine were done in 20 min)

Best Cream Cheese Frosting: (i usually dislike cream cheese frosting- but this stuff is freaking awesome. light, fluffy & just a hint of cream cheese flavor. perfect!)

8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1 stick un-salted butter (softened)
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups confection sugar

Directions:
using a hand mixer: beat together the cream cheese & butter until blended. add the vanilla. then mix in the sugar 1 cup at a time until blended.

jack up the mixer speed (like HIGH) and beat for about 30 seconds or so (until you get some fluffy)- and you're done. make sure to lick the beaters as so not to waste.