What’s better than Fall featured desserts? When the pre-made mix is DELICIOUS! Trader Joes does a wonderful job strategically placing impulse buys throughout the store when you are waiting on their line. Next time you’re in, pick up a box of their Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix. I didn’t make bread or muffins, I made cupcakes and they were great!
All you need for this recipe is the following:
Cupcakes
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup water
- 4 ounces unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
OK, back to baking! Combine all three ingredients and mix well!
Line cupcake sheet with 12 cupcake holders and place mixture in each. You make 12 cupcakes out of 1 box of Trader Joe’s mix.
Bake in a 350 degrees preheated oven for 45-50 minutes so they look like this…
Now, I decided to also “infuse” my cupcakes as well as ice them. It’s just a bonus surprise to give when your friends/family/critics bite into this piece of loveliness. It’s so easy too. Just make some extra icing, buy a cheap piping bag with nozzle and insert into cupcake. Using a mixer, combine the ingredients noted above for the icing.
Ice the top of the cupcakes and then for the pralines:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheet with foil. Stir sugar and butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar melts and mixture comes to boil; boil 1 minute without stirring. Mix in pecans. Spread mixture on prepared baking sheet. Bake until sugar syrup bubbles vigorously, about 8 minutes. Cool praline completely. Break into pieces. Thanks to Epicurious for the easy praline recipe!
Those look INCREDIBLE!!!