Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Cupcakes

These cupcakes would make a fun alternative to the traditional pumpkin (or sweet potato) pie.
The recipe is interchangeable between the 2, the only thing you need to chance is the 1st ingredient based on what flavor you would like.  Although, I must admit I was a tad disappointed with the sweet potato ones.  While in batter form they smelled and tasted like sweet potatoes but once backed they smelled and tasted just like the pumpkin.

mashed sweet potatoes

What You Will Need:
2 cups of cooked mashed sweet potatoes (or 1 can pumpkin puree-1 can is just shy of 2 cups but worked just fine, or you can even use Suchada's recipe and  make your own pumpkin puree)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup canola oil
3 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg


Step 1: Start the Batter-
Mix sweet potatoes, sugar, brown sugar, and oil together in a large mixing bowl.

add in eggs 1 at a time, mixing until well combined in between each egg

Step 2: Mix dry ingredients and combine with batter-
In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg.  For the pumpkin cupcakes I did only 1 tsp of cinnamon and did a tsp of Pumpkin Pie Spice in place of the other tsp of cinnamon and the nutmeg.  This is optional though, I did it because I actually had some pumpkin pie spice and wanted to try it in something haha.
Once dry ingredients are combined mix with the wet, adding slowly and stirring well between each addition.

Step 3: Bake and Ice Cupcakes-
Line a muffin tin with paper liners.  Fill paper liners about 2/3-3/4 full.
Bake at 350 20-22 minutes.
Batter will make 24-25 cupcakes.
Ice with cream cheese icing.  I knew I was making both kinds and had a lot to do already so I cheated and just used store bought icing for this step, that's why there is not recipe attached for the icing.
I garnished the sweet potato cupcakes with mini marshmallows and used crushed pecans on the pumpkin.

Teddy was Mr. Popularity today at preschool when we walked in with our cupcakes.  He was so excited and so proud of them, made all the hard work worth it.

Love,
Christy

Tye Dye Cupcakes.

Cupcakes.  They seem to be a pretty popular thing in the moment.  There seems to be a new cupcake themed TLC or Food Network show each month.  People are putting all sorts of delicious things in cupcakes now, even replacing big cakes at wedding and parties for cupcakes.  I am definitely a fan, and my 4 year old is too, though he still has the palate of a 4 year old, so instead of the funky flavors, we went for the funky colors.  Super simple, the worst part was all the bowls and the dishwasher handled them.


Tye Dye Cupcakes are perfect for getting in the kitchen with your favorite little ones. Whether that is your kid or grandkid or neice/nephew or even the little girl you babysit!

There really isn't a recipe fot this, more like directions.


Here is the line up of ingredients you need.. not including whatever your particular cake mix calls for, probably the usual suspects, water, eggs, and vegetable oil.

Mix up your cake mix as directed and add a little pudding to thicken it up.  I didn't measure it, just think thicker then it is, but not cookie thick, more like muffin thick. The pudding is key...it helps thicken the cake batter so it isn't super runny.  Your little helper can help by mixing.

Split up your cake batter into smaller bowls.  The number of bowls depends on how many colors you plan on using in your cupcakes.  I think 4 is good to start.  Mardi Gras "go cups" are perfect for this!!  What?.. You don't have Mardi Gras "go cups"? Well seems to me like you need to get your behind to New Orleans and experience a parade!  Or you could just use bowls, or regular cups, heck, go crazy and use tupperware........its up to you :o)

Add the food coloring until you are happy with the color.  It darkens a bit after cooked.

Now spoon small scoops of different color batters into the lined cupcake pan. We just went for it, no real pattern or anything.

Bake as directed on the cake mix box. And when they are finished you have these!

A dollop of frosting and some sprinkles, or in my house they are known as "jimmies" and put it on a cool character plate and you might be as delighted as my 4 year old was!

XOXO
Jess