Cinnamon Cupcakes with Nutella & Coffee Icing:

      I love the holidays for many reasons, but a couple of my favorite reasons are: the ability to use as much butter in your baking as possible with out feeling any guilt and also, creating new and exciting recipes. I wanted to bring cupcakes again to Christmas Eve dinner but instead of making my traditional red velvet I got a little more creative in the kitchen. I haphazardly pulled random fresh spices and flavorings out of my pantry and came up with these cinnamon cupcakes with nutella & coffee icing! When you drink a glass of chilled milk with these cupcakes they taste like a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch cereal with a cup of nutella flavored coffee, such an original experience to have in a cupcake! This unique recipe is not only tasty but simple to make, I hope you have a chance to create a batch yourself and enjoy the fragrant spicy sweet aroma that fills your kitchen and home!

Ingredients:

(for the cake)

-1 box yellow cake mix (plus additional ingredients listed on box)

-1/4 cup cinnamon

-1 tsp ground nutmeg

-1 tsp vanilla extract

(for the icing)

-8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

-12 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature

-1 tsp vanilla extract

-1 cup Nutella, at room temperature

-2 cups powdered sugar

-1 tablespoon coffee extract

Directions:

1: Preheat oven as directed on the cake mix box. It's very important to preheat your oven, make sure the oven has been at the right temperature for at least 10 minutes before popping your unbaked goods inside.

1: Prepare the yellow cake mix as directed on the box but also add the cinnamon and vanilla extract at the end, being sure to combine well.

2: Grease your muffin tins and fill each cup half way with batter .

3: Bake until the batter just stiffens and let the cupcakes cool in the tins on a counter top.

4: While the cupcakes are baking you can prepare the frosting, combine all ingredients into a standard mixer (or use a large bowl and a hand held electric mixer) and blend until light, fluffy, and delicious.

5: After the cupcakes have cooled, frost them up and serve!

      (I added a few extra edible pearls and stars to the tops of my cupcakes for additional fun and flare. This site has some of my favorite cake accessories and sprinkles!)

Yours,
Nico

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