Sinful Cinnamon Buttermilk Cupcake

Need a classic and simple cupcake that will please the pickiest eaters?  What about a Sinful Cinnamon Buttermilk Cupcake?  It is welcoming and warming!

PICTURE: I have no picture...it was tragically lost on my phone along with several others:( But here's my attempt at a drawing plus I shall describe it for you...it was a luscious off-white buttermilk cake with a swirl of light brown cake peaking through the batter that was a combination of brown sugary-cinnamon deliciousness.  The white icing was piled high and topped with a little a sprinkling of cinnamon and a mini cinnamon stick (not in drawing...it looked dumb when I tried to recreate that part). Can you picture it?

Alright, here's what you'll need to make it...

• White Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water...but we're replacing the water)
• Buttermilk (you'll be replacing the water your recipe calls for with this deliciousness)
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
• Store bought White Icing
• Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional)
• Garnish Ideas:Sprinkle of Cinnamon and/or Cinnamon Stick

On to the recipe...

Step 1: For the most part, follow the direction of your White Cake Mix - preheat your oven and add in your eggs and but replace the water with Buttermilk. Mix it together until smooth. Remove 1 cup of batter and place in small bowl. Mix in 1/4 cup of brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon with reserve cup of batter.

Step 2: Spoon in your plain Buttermilk batter in your cupcake liners.  Then, spoon in the cinnamon-brown sugar batter on top. Once all your batter is divided out across your cupcakes, take a chop stick and gently stir each cupcake to swirl the batter together for a mini-marble effect.

Step 3: Put your cupcakes in the oven and bake as directed.

Step 4: Using your mixer, mix together the store bought white icing and butter on high until smooth. Give your icing a taste and if it's too buttery for your liking, add in some icing sugar.

Step 5: On to the icing! Feel free to ice them how you want - using a piping bag, spoon or a knife.  I garnished my cupcake with some fresh cinnamon shaves over the top of the cupcake and then topped it off with a little cinnamon stick.

Happy Faking!

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Candy Apple Cupcake

It was a close call and it was really hard to say for sure who won, but these certainly got their share of rave reviews - especially from MM.  I guess it all depends on if you're a Candy Apple lover.  Either way, it was fun to make and funny to watch people eat this candy coated cupcake. To make this trick or treat favourite you'll need...

• White Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water...but we're replacing the water for this one)
• Apple Juice Concentrate (to replace the water your recipe calls for)
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• Candy Apple Kit (most kits require you to add lots of sugar and some water)
• Store bought White Icing
• Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional)
• Garnish Ideas: Candy Coated Apple Slice or Red Cinnamon Candy

Step 1: For the most part, follow the direction of your White Cake Mix - preheat your oven and add in your eggs and oil, but replace the water with Apple Juice Concentrate and mix in a teaspoon of Cinnamon. Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on package. Once done, cool completely. 

Step 2: Time to make your Candy Coating!  Follow the directions of your Candy Apple Kit.  Mine required the addition of sugar and water followed by almost 30 minutes of boiling!  I also bought a candy thermometer which was quite helpful and cost less than $5.  But there is a trick to know if it's done without one...just spoon a small amount of the sugar syrup into some cold water and if it forms a crack-hard string it's good to go.

Step 3: Now that your cupcakes are cool and the Candy Apple Coating is just finished, take a silicone brush and brush the HOT Candy Coating over the tops of your cupcakes.  You'll want to move fast but be careful because it is crazy hot. If you're planning on topping your cupcakes with Candy Apple Slices you'll want to dip them in right after.

Step 4: Don't ice your cupcakes yet! The candy needs to harden and cool.  The sugar takes a surprising amount of time to cool down and will be hard quickly but not cool enough to ice on top.  If you ice them too soon your icing will melt and slide off.  I waited 30 minutes to be safe.

Step 5: Mix together your White Icing and Butter on high until smooth. Give it a taste and if it's too buttery for your taste, add some icing sugar. Pipe your icing on top of your cooled cupcake and Candy Coating.  If you're garnishing it with an Apple Slice, be sure to wait until you're ready to serve your cupcake before placing it on top.

Happy Faking

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Baklava Cupcakes

Want to add an international spin to your cupcakes? These Baklava inspired cupcakes are sure to do just that! Before you start furiously writing down the ingredients or printing this recipe, I just want to be honest with you and let you know that these do require a little more work than my usual recipes, but it's still super easy! For this recipe you'll need...

• White Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water - but we're replacing the water with Milk)
• Milk (to replace the water)
• 5 Tablespoons of Honey (some for the batter, icing and topping)
• 2 1/4 Cups Chopped Nuts (some for the batter and some for the topping - I used walnuts for the batter and a mixture of walnuts, almonds and pistachios for the topping)
• 3 1/4 Teaspoons of Cinnamon (some for the batter, icing and topping)
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Nutmeg (for the batter)
• Pinch of Ground Cloves (for the batter)
• 1/4 Cup of Brown Sugar (for the topping)
• Store Bought White Icing
• Butter (Around 1/2 a cup at room temperate for the icing and around 3 tablespoons for the topping)
• Icing Sugar (optional)

Yes, I know, it seems like a lot of ingredients. But if you really wanted you could cut the cloves and nutmeg so that helps!  Now on to the recipe...

Step 1: Sort of follow the directions on your White Cake Mix. Start by preheating your oven and add the oil and eggs...but DO NOT add the water.Replace all of the water your cake mix calls for with Milk.  Add in 1 Tablespoon of Honey, 2 Teaspoons of Cinnamon, 1/2 Teaspoon of Nutmeg, and a Pinch of Ground Cloves and mix the ingredients together until it is smooth.

Step 2: Now, if you're not a fan of nuts in your cupcakes you can skip this part.  But if you do like nuts, stir in 3/4 of a Cup of Chopped Nuts.  I used walnuts, but you could use a mixture of whatever you have in your cupboards.  Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on the package.  Once they are done baking, let them cool completely.

Step 3: While your cupcakes cool, why not make your icing. Mix together your store bought White Icing and around 1/2 a Cup of Butter on high until smooth. Add in 2 Tablespoons of Honey and 1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon. Mix well until fully incorporated. Icing, done! 

Step 4: By now your cupcakes probably still need some time to cool. So, on to the simple, sweet nutty topping. In a frying pan, melt down around 3 Tablespoons of Butter on medium heat.  Add 2 Tablespoons of Honey, 1/4 Cup of Brown Sugar and 1/4 Teaspoon of Cinnamon. Stir until fully incorporated and continue to heat until it reduces to a sticky syrup. Add in 1 1/2 Cups of Chopped Nuts. Mix well and let cool.  

Step 5: And now it's assembly time - only once your cupcakes are cooled of course. Pipe or spoon your icing on each cupcake. Add a spoonful  (around 1 teaspoon) of your lukewarm topping on the top of your icing and gently spread it around. Make sure that your topping is not hot when you add it because it will melt your icing. That's it, not too difficult at all and you'll be surprised how quickly you can whip these up!

Happy Faking!

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Gingerbread Cupcake

There's nothing more comforting than the smell of gingerbread.  From gingerbread cookies to gingerbread houses, it's a Christmas classic that needs to be represented as a faking fancy cupcake!  It's a heart-warming smell that takes you back to your childhood and Christmases past.  For this Christmas classic flavour you'll need...

• White Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water, but no water required for this one)
• 1 Cup of Molasses (this will replace some of the water your cake mix calls for)
• Milk (to replace the rest of the water called for) 
• 1 tablespoon of Ginger
• 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon (plus a little to sprinkle over the top of the cupcake as garnish)
• 1 teaspoon of Cloves (you can go a little less on this if you like less spicy gingerbread)
• Store bought Vanilla or White Icing
• Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional)
• Garnish Ideas: Cinnamon Stick, Small Gingerbread Person, Shaved Cinnamon 

And here's the festive fun recipe...

Step 1: Preheat your oven as directed on the cake mix package.  Add all the ingredients your White Cake Mix calls for EXCEPT for the water.  Instead of the water, replace one cup of the called for amount with Molasses and top the rest off with Milk.  So, if your recipe calls for 1 1/3 cup of water, add one cup of Molasses and 1/3 of a cup of Milk.

Step 2: Now it's time to add in some classic Christmas spices to your batter - 1 tablespoon of Ginger, 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of Cloves.  If you like a less spicy gingerbread, use only 1/2 to 3/4 of a teaspoon of Cloves.  Mix the ingredients together until smooth, spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on the package.  Once they are done baking, let them cool completely before icing.

Step 3: Since the cupcake has a lot going on, I went for a very basic vanilla icing.  You could use whipped cream if you'd like.  For my vanilla icing all you need to do is mix together the vanilla icing and butter on high until smooth.  Mix well and add some icing sugar if it's not sweet enough for you or too buttery.

Step 4: It's assembly time.  Ice your cupcake with any method you prefer - piping bag, knife, spoon...whatever.  Top it with the garnish of your choice.  I shaved some cinnamon over top and topped it with a small piece of cinnamon stick.  I'm making them again this week and will probably use a gingerbread cookie for double the gingerbread fun.     

Happy Faking!

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Pumpkin Patch-Pie Cupcake

Love pumpkin pie or just looking for a fun Halloween themed treat? Well, look no further, I've got you covered.  This recipe takes pumpkin pie to a whole new form of deliciousness - cupcake style.  You can serve it as is, or you can add a few little garnishes to make it even more Halloween-ey.  For this recipe you'll need:

• White Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water, but no water required for this one)
• 1 Cup of Pure Pumpkin  (replacing part of the water called for)
• Milk
• 3 teaspoons of Cinnamon (1 teaspoon for cake and 2 teaspoons for icing) 
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger
• Pinch of Ground Cloves
• Store bought Chocolate Icing
• 1 baked pie crust, crumbled
• Garnish Ideas: Spooky Chocolate Designs or Pumpkin Shaped Candy

And here's my fun, spooky and easy recipe...

Step 1: Preheat your oven as directed on the cake mix package.  Add all the ingredients your White Cake Mix calls for EXCEPT for the water.  Instead of the water, replace one cup of the called for amount with Pure Pumpkin and top the rest off with Milk.  So, if your recipe calls for 1 1/3 cup of water, add one cup of Pure Pumpkin and 1/3 of a cup of Milk. Then add 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of Ground Ginger and a pinch of Ground Cloves.  Mix the ingredients together until it is smooth.

Step 2: Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on the package.  Once they are done baking, let them cool completely.

Step 3: For the icing, simply mix in 2 teaspoons of Cinnamon into the icing and mix well. Spread your chocolate cinnamon icing on top of your cupcake.

Step 4: And now it's the fun part!  Dip your cupcake icing side down into the pie crumbs.  And that's it!  You can serve them as is or add a fun garnish.  I used a Chocolate Decorator to create my own spooky shapes and made a spooky pumpkin patch seen with a couple of candy pumpkins.   

Happy Faking!

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Apple Pie Cupcake

The most classic of pies, in my opinion of course, is the apple pie.  It's comforting and tasty - who could ask more of a dessert.  Well, I am asking more. I want my pie and cake...and I want to eat it too!  So I merged the best of both worlds with the Apple Pie Cupcake complete with my version of à la mode.  And here's what you'll need,...

• White Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water)
• Store bought Vanilla Icing
• 1 Apple Flip or four small Apple Tarts
• 1 cup of Cool Whip
• 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon
• Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional)
• Garnish (optional): More Cinnamon

Time to combine and WOW...

Step 1: Follow the directions of your White Cake Mix - from preheating your oven through to adding the eggs, oil, water, etc.  You'll notice that White Cake Mixes call for egg whites only and not the whole egg.  In my usual lazy fashion, I just throw the whole egg in - minus the egg shell of course.  Mix together the batter until smooth. 

Step 2: On a cutting board, chop up your Apple Flip or Apple Tarts into small pieces.  Add the chopped Apple and Pastry bits to your batter and slowly fold in until it's mixed through.  Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on the package.  Once they are done baking, let them cool completely.

Step 3: While you're waiting for your cupcakes to cool, why not make your à la mode...I mean icing!  Using your mixer, mix together the Vanilla Icing, Butter, Cool Whip, and Cinnamon and mix on high until smooth.  You'll likely need to thicken your icing with icing sugar.  Just add enough until it gets to the right consistency and taste.  I like to keep this icing just a little runnier than usual so it's more à la mode.

Step 4: Once your cupcakes have cooled, feel free to add some à la mode!  It's easier if you use a piping bag, but you can also just spoon it on.  I used tip #12 and then topped them off with a light sprinkle of cinnamon.  Et voilà!

Happy Faking!

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