Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

So, I haven't posted a recipe in a while which is a shame because I have a ton! Especially cupcake recipes, I actually went through a phase where I made a different cupcake every week just to try new recipes.  My family and friends hated/loved how many cupcakes I was feeding them.  Anyhow, I've made this recipe a few times for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, the cinnamon and spice flavors make it perfect for the holidays and come on, who doesn't love churros?

*this recipe makes about 18-20 Cupcakes

Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 (1 stick) cup unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line your muffin pan with cupcake liners.

2.  In a medium mixing bowl stir together your flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.  Set this mixture aside.

3.  In a large mixing bowl stir together butter and sugar until it is fluffy.  Add the eggs one at a time then stir in vanilla and oil.  No alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk starting and finishing with the flour mixture and stirring in between.

4.  Fill your cupcake liners with the mixture until they are about half way full.  Bake your cupcakes for 14 to 16 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Let cupcakes cool before frosting.

Frosting

Ingredients:

4 ounces cream cheese softened
4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
2 cups confection's sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
carmel sauce-as much as desired
cinnamon sugar mixture-as much as desired

Directions:

1.  Mix together the butter and cream cheese in large mixing bowl.  Add confections' sugar one cup at a time mixing in between addition.  Add in cinnamon and mix together before adding the vanilla.  Beat mixture until fluffy.

2.  Pipe frosting onto cupcakes.  Sprinkle on cinnamon sugar mixture and squeeze on desired amount of carmel sauce.

3. Enjoy!

Let's Catch Up: Sandwiches, Antiques, Cupcakes

Yesterday I went for an afternoon date with my BFF Violet.  We went to our favorite downtown spots for sandwiches, window shopping, and of course cupcakes.  All the best things in life!

Introducing the BEST chicken sandwich ever; Simple Simon's chicken tarragon with avocado on fresh sourdough and a side of fruit salad.  They also have a bakery so their bread is to die for.

Next we went to a small local store that sells all sorts of little trinkets and vintage things.  I love this sign they had there.  I'm a big believer in "you make your own happiness."  If you're miserable and bitter about life, it's probably because you want to be miserable and bitter.  When I was younger, and by younger I mean like a year ago, I hadn't figured out the whole "happiness is a choice" thing but I think part of growing up and maturing is realizing you have to make the best out of every situation because life is never gonna be fair but there sure are a lot of pretty awesome things in life.  Like sandwiches with avocado, puppies, and sparkly things! 

Something I didn't like about yesterday were these extremely creepy pillows of half human, half bunny ladies dancing.  WHY?!

Then we went to a GIANT antique store downtown that I love looking around periodically.  Some things are over prices but on a good day you can find some good deals.  These are some examples of awesome things in life; all kinds of pretty things!  Also, I need a mirrored vanity tray like this one but I have yet to find one in my price range.

LOVE this picture, LOVE ancient architecture, LOVE being an art history major no matter how useless people keep telling me it is.  Life's too short not to major in something you love!

Example number two of awesome things in life; finding a random picture of Meg Ryan.  As you can tell Violet was throughly confused.

Does this even need a caption?  Giant hot dog's are put on this earth so you can take pictures with them.

Next we went to Casey's Cupcakes winner of cupcake wars!  Casey's is actually not my favorite cupcake place, nothing will ever beat Sprinkles.  But it's close and some of their flavors are pretty good.

How cute are the "Beach Boy" blue, red, and green cupcakes for summer?!  And to the left of them are the cupcakes of the month, smore!

I got a cupcake with a Reese's on top.  To be honest with you I have no clue what the cake and frosting was, I just saw a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup on top of it so I got it.  Not my favorite, the Reese's was probably the best part.  They do have pretty good dark chocolate cupcakes though, and their German chocolate is also yummy.  Maybe I should stick with those.

Creepy dancing bunny pillows and satisfactory cupcakes aside, it was a pretty good day.  Aren't days with your BFF always good though?

Independence Day Cupcakes

Yesterday I made 4th of July cupcakes for our family BBQ.  Although the 4th has pasted here's a festive recipe you could save for the holiday next year.  Or you could use the recipe and just add different colors for any occasion!

I got the recipe here but I changed the frosting a little bit.  I added almond extract to it so instead of plain vanilla it was vanilla cake with almond frosting, my absolute favorite.  Unfortunately I didn't have time to let the frosting sit in the fridge and it was a bit running so I was not able to pipe it and make it look pretty.  I guess that's what I get for baking right before I'm supposed to leave.  Nevertheless, they turned our delicious and were a huge hit at the BBQ.