Pistachio Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting

This recipe was kind of a last minute thought.  I had to throw together a sweet treat for a co-workers birthday last week and realized I didn't have much time.  I had gotten my kids in bed and it was becoming late.  I knew I had a cake mix in the pantry, but what should I do with it?  Then I remembered I had a box of pistachio pudding in the cabinet...the rest is history.  And a new recipe that I will make over and over.

(printable recipe) 

18 cupcakes:
1 box of yellow cake mix & all ingredients that it calls for
1 box of pistachio pudding mix
few drops of green food coloring 
1/2 c. pecans, chopped

1. Combine cake mix and it's ingredients as packaging instructs.
2. Add in pudding mix and combine well. Mix in a few drops of green food coloring to enhance the pistachio pudding color. 
3. Fill cupcake liners about 3/4 full with batter.
4. Bake as directed on cake mix packaging.** may need to bake a few extra minutes, the pudding makes batter extra moist
5. Cool and frost.  Top with pecans.

Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Blend cream cheese and butter with mixer until creamy.
2. With the mixer on low, slowly add sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowls as needed. 
3. Add vanilla and increase mixer speed to medium. Blend until frosting is fluffy.  

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Thanks ~ Nichi

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Apple Dump Cake

This is a recipe that may have been passed down in your family.  I have had it many times, but always made by someone else.  I decided it was time to try it out myself.  If you like apple crisp or apple pie, this is an easy treat that will please your tastebuds.  I can still smell my kitchen full of warm apple cinnamon smell.  Mmmmm...

** We actually ate this for dessert, and then breakfast the next morning.  Great for both!!

2 cans apple pie filling
2 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 box yellow cake mix
2 sticks butter
1 cup pecans, chopped 

whipped cream or ice cream

1. Dump two cans of apple pie filling into a 9×13 pan. Cut up the apples to make it easier to eat.  
2. Sprinkle with cinnamon. 
3. Crumble the dry cake mix over the apple mixture. 
4. Sprinkle the pecans over the cake mix. 
5. Slice each stick of butter into 12 equal pieces, place them on top evenly.  (24 pieces total)
   
6. Cook at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes or until golden brown. 
7. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. 

Source:  "mooched" from www.tastykitchen.com 

This recipe was featured on:

• Doodles and Stitches
• Watch Out, Martha

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