How the Grinch Stole...Red and Green Christmas Cupcakes

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These are some cupcakes that I CAN share the recipe of...because I made it up (well mostly)...

These cupcakes are super cute and Christmasy! AND they are SUPER EASY!

These cupcakes reminded me A LOT of How the Grinch Stole Christmas...hence the name.

Cake:

The cake is a cake mix based cake. I used half of a funfetti cake mix (since I only needed a small batch)... I added 3 eggs and then instead of the oil and water that is says to add on the box I added milk and melted unsalted butter (in the same amount).

Then divide the cake mix putting half of it in a separate mixing bowl. Color half of it green and half of it red with food coloring.

Then here is the cool part... Use a cupcake batter divider. Place the divider in the middle of the cupcake slot. Using a spoon fill to about 2/3- 3/4 full on each side (one side with the red batter, and one side with the green batter). This is messy at first (so keep a paper towel handy) but eventually you will get the hang of it!

You can get a cupcake batter divider HERE on amazon (it looks like this). Or I just happened across mine at my local grocery store! (and it was much cheaper there!- so keep an eye out!)  It's decreased in price on Amazon since I bought mine!

Unfortunately the frosting recipe I cannot share... I used a recipe from this book... (I know... AGAIN!!)
It is a light fluffy frosting recipe perfect for kids (and it makes enough to frost 24 cupcakes!

The recipe I used is the "Whipped Grocery" recipe from this book.
It is delicious... I so wish I could have eaten all of it! (except it is not dairy free so that would have been a really bad idea...) but I just COULDN'T STOP "taste testing" it! mmmmm...

I am in love with this book... plus it is the most adorable ever...
You can buy it HERE.

I made these for my little Church class of 6 year olds that my husband and I teach every Sunday.

They LOVED them! and your kids will too! 

Plus... did you know... SANTA loves cupcakes too?!

Merry Christmas!! and Happy Holidays!

Hope you enjoy making some treats and goodies this Holiday Season!

Love, 

Cami

I'm dreaming of a...A Red Velvet Christmas

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The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is...

By making Christmas Cupcakes!

These first Christmas Cupcakes are fondly named "Velveteen Christmas" they are a traditional Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese frosting decorated festive for the Holiday Season. 

These were a hit at my Church Christmas Party!

The recipe comes from The Cake Boss himself! Buddy! 

You can buy the book HERE.

There are a lot of great classic recipes in this book and a lot of tips. He even shares how to pipe those cute flower cupcakes they make at the bakery. Most of the tips in this book though are for actual cakes, not cupcakes. However, the recipes are great for either.

My tip for this cake recipe is to bake it for MUCH less time than it says in the book (also it will make more than 24 cupcakes). The recipe doesn't have a baking time for cupcakes and mine were slightly overdone (but still delicious). I would start them at 20 min and then see where you are... If a toothpick comes out clean when you insert it in the cupcake or if when you touch the cupcake it doesn't leave a dent, then they are done! 

Still super delicious and very fluffy on the inside though.

The frosting was the best cream cheese frosting I ever made! Ugh! I wish I could share it with you! It comes from this ADORABLE book again... Frostings.... seriously I want to be Courtney Whitmore! ... she is adorable!

You can buy the book online HERE.

I have only made two recipes from this book so far. Both of them were AMAZING! I love this book, and it is hands down the MOST ADORABLE book I have ever seen... I highly recommend it for anyone on your list who loves baking or especially frosting!

Like I said, the cream cheese frosting recipe from this book was the best one I ever made.... I will be using this recipe from now on!

THE BOWS...Are probably my favorite part of these cupcakes! (even though the actual cupcake is amazing as well)... I happened across the bows at my local Walmart. They are the perfect mini bows for cupcakes! They came in a pack of ten that cost 97 cents (pretty sure)... AMAZING! and Perfect for Christmas Cupcakes!

More Christmas Cupcakes coming soon!

Love, 

Cami

Dairy Free- Chocolate Candy Cane Cupcakes!

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I love Christmas!!!!!!!! I've already made a few different cupcakes this holiday season, but I made one today that stopped me in my tracks....

Seriously... AMAZING!!!

I can't have dairy, so I'm always on the hunt for great dairy free cupcakes, and especially FROSTING.

Buy the book HERE!

Today I even amazed myself!

First off... I love this book!!! It is so cute and I have loved every frosting I have made from it...
THIS frosting DOESN'T come from this book... but it did help me figure out how I could make a dairy free frosting...


OKAY... here is the best part!!!!


Dairy Free- CANDY CANE FROSTING
1 c. Crisco shortening
1/2 c. dairy free "butter" spread* (use regular unsalted butter room temp if not going dairy free).
6 c. powdered sugar
4 Tbs water
1 1/2 Tbs clear vanilla extract
4-5 peppermint candy canes blended to a fine powder with your blender/magic bullet. I use my magic bullet for this recipe and it makes it SO easy!

In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment cream the "butter"and shortening together. When they are creamy add the powdered sugar, while mixing, 1/3-1 c. at a time (whatever works best for you-- you just want to add it in increments). About halfway through adding powdered sugar add 2 Tbs water. Keep mixing and add the rest of the powdered sugar in increments. Then add the vanilla and the other 2 Tbs water. Also add the candy cane powder. Mix on low-medium for 5 min until nice and fluffy!

With a piping bag and a big tip, pipe the frosting onto your cupcakes and enjoy!!

Seriously... I LOVE that I can eat this frosting! My house smells AMAZING and I had to force myself to stop eating the dang frosting and actually pipe it on my cupcakes. SO Candy-cane-y and DELICIOUS!!!

* This is the Dairy Free butter-spread I use







Now for the cake... (also dairy free)

Dairy Free- Chocolate Cupcakes
These are a cake mix-based cupcake so they are super easy... Here's what you do.

1 box Chocolate Fudge Cake mix (check the ingredients! Certain brands don't have milk in them, and others do... so if you are looking for dairy free check the ingredients. I have found the Western Family brand doesn't have milk usually).
3 x-large eggs
1/2 cup. veggie oil (or use melted butter for non dairy free)
1 1/3 c. almond milk (or reg milk if you don't want to go dairy free).

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Whip the eggs a little with a fork in a small bowl. Then add them to the mixing bowl with the oil. With a hand mixer mix those together. Whisk up the cake mix in another mixing bowl to get the lumps out. Then add the cake mix to the egg-oil mixture a little at a time (alternate between adding cake mix and almond milk). Add to cupcake pan with liners and bake 20-25 min.

When a toothpick comes out clean then they are done. Take them out and let them cool...



I think this is my favorite frosting that I have ever made. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Merry Christmas!

And Happy Holidays!

Love, Cami

For another Dairy Free (and Egg Free) chocolate cupcake recipe... click HERE

Ps. I have been listening to this song on loop for like the past hour! Enjoy!