French Toast Cupcake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

I want to lead in to this post talking about the logistics of being a full time professional and trying to consistently blog.  As my fellow bloggers know, one has to make such a commitment to keeping the blog going.  This last week has been one of the busiest ever topped by being home only one night to work on posts.  Now mind you, this is not a complaint.  This blog is, though focused on food, is about where my cooking fits into my life and that does not come out enough in my posts.  Simply stated, the blog is my Zen.  When I am in the kitchen, I am truly in a place where I find great joy.  And joy is so much better and more meaningful when shared.  That is the learning for me.  The first joy is seeing people enjoy the food I create.  The greater joy, because it touches so many more people, is sharing this journey through this blog.  Thanks for being there and listening.

Now back to the food, or more particularly, my cupcakes, or should I say my daughter’s cupcakes.  It is so fun having her home, in the kitchen.  Both for her generating ideas and for her love of baking.  We were making multiple things in the kitchen at the same time so her fingers were almost 100% behind this dessert while my fingers were 100% in this dessert.

 

Ingredients (Adapted from the Cake Doctor):

• 1 package yellow cake mix
• 1 package vanilla instant pudding
• 1 1/4 cups skim milk (adaption from whole milk)
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tbsp grated cinnamon

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients in your mixer.

 

Start on slow and increase speed to combine.  Spoon (I used a 1/4 cup measuring cup) into a tray lined with paper cups.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 18 – 22 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack

Ingredients (frosting):

• 1 package reduced fat cream cheese
• 4 tbsp butter (1/2 stick), room temperature
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

 

Directions:

Begin by blending the cream cheese and butter in your mixer.  Once creamed, add the confectioners sugar a little at a time and mix until fully incorporated.  Repeat until all the sugar is combined.  Finish by adding the cinnamon and complete the mixing.

To complete the cupcakes, spread the frosting liberally over the cupcakes and serve.  Enjoy!