Not-So-Pretty Bakery

I make ugly cakes.

I love to cook.  I am actually very good at it, and have a reputation amongst my family and friends as "the one that can cook".  My hips and my husband's belly are a testimony to the skill I possess.  That being said, I make ugly cakes.  They taste amazing....but they are U G L Y.  Same goes for cupcakes.  Now, consider for a moment you had a choice....would you choose a beautiful, tasteless cupcake, or a sloppy, moist and flavorful one?  If you choose the latter, check this out.

You won't see my confections on the food network or any of those Real Simple magazines, but they are melt-in-your-mouth and smack-your-granny good.  And for the record, we do not advocate smacking your granny.  If you want to try these yummy RED VELVET cupcakes out, I've included a recipe for you.  Best part? IT STARTS WITH A CAKE MIX, so it's easy....

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting

1  pkg.  (2-layer size) red velvet  cake mix
Required ingredients for cake mix, per box's instructions
1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) Vanilla Instant Pudding
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Neufchatel or regular Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar (about 4 cups)
1 cup thawed Whipped Topping
1 Package malted milk eggs, white chocolate for shaving, or chopped walnuts for garnishing

1. Prepare cake batter and blend dry pudding mix into batter before spooning into prepared muffin cups. Bake as directed on package for 24 cupcakes. Cool.
2. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Gradually beat in sugar. Whisk in COOL WHIP. Spoon frosting into small freezer-weight resealable plastic bag; seal bag (or use a cake decorating bag with tip). Cut small corner off bottom of bag and insert tip.
3. Frost cupcakes with frosting. Top with whichever yummy you choose.  I chose the malted eggs for the Easter look.

I made these cupcakes for my daughters' classes at daycare, only the daycare was closed after tornadoes swept through town last night and the town was mostly without power.  So, here I am, alone with 40 cupcakes.....

~Leah

HAPPY EASTER!