I Love Cupcakes!!

These were amazing. I have been wanting to make these cupcakes for some time now, but I just didn't have a good enough excuse to make and eat 2 dozen lucious cakes. Well the day came. It was my little running buddy Erin's birthday. Now, Erin isn't just any friend. She is the kind of friend that will wake up at 4:40am to go jogging with you any time of year. I have a few of these friends, and let me tell you, just by being together at that early hour and sweating your guts out together makes you bossom friends. I even spill my guts to them every once in a while and tell them how much I love them. How can you not. So, Erin deserved the cupcakes! (and the bonus is we ran super hard that day so she could afford the calories.) Another thing too is that it is carrot cake and a very smart girl named Marca once told me that carrot cake is a vegetable. Why would I doubt her. So here is the recipe. The frosting was out of this world. I could have eaten the whole bowl. The moral of the story is....if you want delicious cupcakes come running with me at 5:00am. I will be your loyal friend forever!!! Happy Birthday Erin!

Carrot Cake Cupcakes (Recipe by James' mom Eileen)

2 c. sugar

3 eggs whipped first

1 c. oil

3 c. flour

1 t. cinnamon

1 1/2 c. toasted pecans

1/2 t. salt

2 t. baking soda (put in very last so it doesn't get wet)

2 c. finely shredded carrots

1/2 c. shredded coconut

2 t. grated orange rind

1 can crushed pineapple with juice. (the regular sized can. Not the small ones)

Mix the first 3 ingredients together until smooth. Add everything else except for the soda. Mix well. After the batter is completely mixed add the baking soda. (I don't know why except James' mom said it is a must!) Spoon into prepared 24 prepared muffin tins. Bake in a 350'F oven for 20-25 mins or until the muffin centers are springy. Cool and frost. The frosting was the best!!!

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz room temp. cream cheese

1/2 c. butter at room temp.

Mix until smooth. Add:

4 c. powdered sugar

2 T. brown sugar

1 t. cinnamon

Whip until fluffy. I didn't have to add any milk to thin the frosting. I piped the frosting onto the cupcakes and used the whole batch. If you don't put it on the cupcakes you can eat the whole bowl by yourself. Just make sure you wash the evidence.