chocolate cupcakes with carmel frosting

these cupcakes are great if you need a little pick-me-up!
Chocolate Cupcakes:
2 C flour, sifted
2 C sugar
3/4 C cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
1/2 C oil
1 C hot coffee
1 C milk
2 eggs

combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  create a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then add oil, coffee, milk, and eggs.  beat until just combined-there will be some lumps.  pour into lined cupcake tins.  bake @ 350 for approx 15 mins, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Carmel Frosting:
1 C butter
2 C brown sugar
1/2 C milk
approx 4 C powdered sugar, sifted
pinch of salt

melt butter in saucepan over low heat, then add brown sugar.  stir constantly for 2 minutes.  add milk, and continue to stir until mixture comes to a boil.(i ended up turning up the heat to medium here to move the process along!)  remove from heat and cool.  add sugar and your pinch of salt until frosting reaches spreading consistency. 
*note: i added my powdered sugar while mixture was slightly warm.(i'm impatient!)  this resulted in a looser consistency.  i actually liked it this way better, because it is very sweet!  i just spread a small amount on the cupcakes, and added some chocolate sprinkles.  however...after letting is sit on the counter(there was quite a bit left over since i didn't use as much) it DID set up into a nice, creamy frosting.  so, whatever floats your boat here! :o)

linking up with:

Hope Studios

carrot cake push pops

i have jumped on the push pop wagon...and i'm loving the ride.  what a unique, eye catching display for your yummies!!

Carrot Cake
3 eggs
2 cups flour, sifted
2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups veg oil
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups raw carrot, shredded
Beat eggs well, then add the next 7 ingredients, and beat until smooth.  fold in coconut, nuts pineapple, and carrots.  pour into a greased 9x13 pan.  bake @ 350 for 50 mins.
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 stick butter, softened
6 oz cream cheese, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
Beat all together until smooth!

i cut my cake into 2 layers, then used a sprinkle cap to cut out circles that would fit inside the pops.
layer inside push pops and garnish with finely chopped walnuts!  then ENJOY!!

since it was easter, i used a piece of styrofoam with holes poked in it, inside a basket with easter grass in top!  SO FUN!
*you can find a case of 100 HERE  or smaller quantities HERE

linking up with:
hope studios
sweet as sugar cookies

peanut butter chunk chippies

ok, have you seen these? (photo from http://www.hersheys.com/reeses/products.aspx#/REESE%27S-Minis) i knew these were destined to be in a cookie! 
i had chocolate chip cookie dough in the freezer(use your favorite recipe, or dare i say,  pre made mix?!).  i took the dough out and a let it come to room temp.  i roughly chopped the cups, and gently mixed them into the dough.  scoop and bake...i DARE you to wait until they are cool!

 

linking up with:
hope studios