5:00am wakeup call and this awesome workout DONE! Time to tackle today! But first…some sweet treats and a few recipes for you all on this lovely morning!
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As many of you already know, I took part in a little cupcake baking this weekend!
When my mom asked if I could make some cupcakes for my grandma’s birthday, I immediately knew that I wanted to use a recipe that incorporated buttermilk. I’ve had the carton sitting in my fridge since last week, and really didn’t want it to go to waste. Luckily, after a little searching and tweaking, I found a recipe I was looking for!
The cupcakes are not only easy to make, but are super delicious. They have a light, fluffy texture that pairs well with really any frosting. Well, at least two that I know of…
I was having a really difficult time deciding on a frosting to make with these, since there’s been a few that I’ve wanted to experiment with. Luckily, I narrowed it down to two.
The first frosting I made was a Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting. This was totally inspired by the tub of Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Cream Cheese that I’ve had lurking in the fridge. I had a feeling it would make a phenomenal frosting (right Jess??), and it definitely did not disappoint!
The second frosting was, well, out of this freakin’ world if you ask me! This White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting fit just perfectly with these rich chocolate cupcakes.
After a few minutes, the frosting even hardens a bit, making it almost candy-like. It’s incredible…like, it’s-ok-to-lick-it-off-any-surface-it-lands-on incredible.
But don’t just take my word for it…go ahead and make a batch of these delicious little gems!
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Buttermilk Chocolate Cupcakes
(Makes 24 cupcakes, adapted from Taste of Home)
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1-1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup egg substitute (or 2 eggs)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup baking cocoa
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup waterDirections:
- Preheat oven to 375°. Fill muffin tin with paper muffin cups or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg substitute, beating well. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in another bowl. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture (buttermilk + water), beating well after each addition.
- Fill muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Frost with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting or White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (see recipes below). ENJOY!
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[print_this]Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp (1/2 stick) butter, softened
- 4 oz. peanut butter cream cheese (I used Trader Joe’s)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Approx. 3 cups confectioners sugar
Cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Add confectioners sugar, one cup at a time, until desired consistency is achieved.
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[print_this]White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
- 1-1/2 cups white chocolate chips
- 4 tbsp (1/2 stick) butter
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4-1/2 cups confectioners sugar
Heat the white chocolate chips, butter, and milk in microwave-safe bowl until all is melted (20-30 second intervals works best). Stir in the vanilla. Add confectioners sugar slowly, stirring constantly, until combined. Add more milk or sugar to achieve desired consistency.
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ENJOY!
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Raffle for Life
If you have an extra minute today, please head on over to my dear friend Heather’s blog to participate in the THS Raffle for Life. The raffle goes through Saturday and was created by Heather to help raise money for Relay for Life in honor of her Aunt Pat who passed away from cancer. You’ll even have a chance to put your raffle tickets towards some baked goods from yours truly!
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries says
I’m really liking your photog skills with these cupcakes, Courtney! And per the usual, those cupcakes look/sound amazing!
Courtney says
Thanks, Colleen! :-D
Kelly says
Cupcake queen!!!
Courtney says
Hahaha…I suddenly feel inspired to drop into a Burger King to grab a crown. Do they even still have those???? :-P
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie) says
Wowwww those cupcakes look insane!!! Both of those frostings would make my mouth water. I need to contact you when my birthday comes around ;D
Courtney says
Go for it! ;)
Khushboo says
Wow! Forget the cupcake, a bowl of frosting alone would be a fantastic dessert! Mmm
Jessica @ How Sweet says
I still have to try it as frosting! So glad it works!! :)
CaSaundra says
I bet you’re grandma was thrilled–aren’t buttermilk based cupcakes so moist and perfect?! Great recipe!
Holly says
I love the baking cups- super cute! Normally I only see the ‘normal’ looking ones- you know like the paper cups, but the ones you have look like flowers :)
And, I’m sure I have told you before, but I’m SO jealous of TJ’s. We do not have those down here :( I really want to get my hands on some TJ goodies!!
Shanna, Like Banana says
I’ll take the white chocolate frosting since cream cheese is blech to me ;)
Melissa says
Beautiful photos, Courtney!
Rachel @ The Perseverance Diaries says
Those are super cute, and obviously tasty looking. Thanks for the recipe, I think these are perfect for an Easter get-together!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I seriously want to lick my computer screen right now!!! These look amazing!
Lisa @ Healthy Diaries says
Your cupcakes always looks so good! :) I’v’e made a ton of different buttercream frostings but never White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. Sounds delicious!
Melissa @ Chocolate & Kisses says
Your skills amaze me. I don’t know how you and your hubby are not 400 pounds with those delicious desserts you always make! Must be your will power, because you are stunning! Can I have some!?!
Courtney says
You are too sweet, Melissa! The key is to find people you can give your recipes to…Jay takes a good portion of my baked goodies to work. :)
Jamie aka "Sometimes Healthy" Girl says
It amazes me how perfect those cupcakes look! The frosting looks incredible and the adorable cupcake holders are the “icing on the cake” ;-)
Shelley says
Courtney,
Where do you find the cupcake holders? Would love to get some! :)
Courtney says
I received them as a gift, but I’m pretty sure they came from Marshalls??
Heather says
oh my goodness those look heavenly! esp the frosting!!! great photos, too!
Brittney says
Droooooooooooooool :)
Megan (Braise The Roof) says
Those are seriously adorable cupcakes! And I need to look into this peanut butter cream cheese situation pronto… :)
Mandee says
love that PB cream cheese at TJs! it’s great on these chocolate granola cookies i eat, so i bet that frosting tastes awesome! in my world, pb+x=awesome. x=everything hahahaha.
Courtney says
:-D
Alexa @ Simple Eats says
These look to die for. They’re so pretty, but what more would I expect from the cupcake queen?!
Jen says
omg what a delicious cupcakes yummmyy :D
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
YUM. The white chocolate frosting looks freaking amazing. Oh my gosh I’m dying!!
Nancy says
One: Those silicone cups are ADORBS.
Two: I don’t know how you made the frosting look so incredible, but I am wanting to dive into my computer screen to eat one!
Sarah says
mmm these all sound SO good! Especially the peanut butter cream cheese frosting!!! I will have to give that a try for sure!
My sweet tooth is officially screaming at me!
Connie the cookie monster says
omg thank you! ive been looking for a white chocolate icing recipe! and with your testimonial, i can place my confidence on it :)