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What’s this, you say?
Cupcakes? On Buns In My Oven?
Yeah, I know. I can’t bake a cake to save my life, and yet here I am. With cake. I hope we all know what this means…if I can do it, so can you.
But, why in the world would I risk death and destruction to make a cupcake?
Well, number one, I like cupcakes.
Number two, I like frosting.
Number one, for real, though, is because today is a speshul day.
It’s Kristan’s online baby shower. You know Kristan, right? What if I call her the Cookbook Queen? Now you know who I’m talking about. She’s the one that makes the creative and prettily decorated cupcakes.
Um, hello, Frankenberry Cupcakes. Get in my mouth.
Kristan is having a sweet baby girl. Lucy. Isn’t that the sweetest name ever? It’s just simple and classic.
From what I read about Kristan’s son, Jon David, he is quite the character. I can’t wait to hear what Lucy gets up to. Of course, she’ll be wearing all pink, covered in sparkles and glitter, with her hair done up all fancy. I know this, because I met Kristan once. And she was dressed in pink, sparkly, with pretty hair. I just assume this will pass down to her daughter. That’s how it works, right?
Happy Baby Shower Day, Kristan. I absolutely, positively can not wait to see photos of your little lady.
Maple Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened, cut into chunks 1 stick
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening room temperature
- 2 cups pure maple syrup preferably Grade B, but I used Grade A Dark Amber
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup walnuts toasted and coarsely chopped (I omitted these)
For the frosting:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1-1/2 sticks
- 12 oz. cream cheese softened
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar sifted
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
To make the cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a muffin tin with liners.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients and whisk together.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and shortening until smooth and combined. With the mixer turned to low, stream in the maple syrup.
- Turn the mixer to medium high and beat until uniform in color, about 3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg yolks and egg one at a time until just combined.
- Reduce the speed to low and add half of the flour mixture and beat until just combined.
- Stream in the milk.
- Add the remaining flour mixture and beat until just combined.
- Stop the mixer and scrape down the bowl. Fold in the walnuts, if using.
- Fill the muffin tin 3/4 full and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting:
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until completely smooth. Beat in the cream choose until well combined.
- With the mixer on low, beat in the powdered sugar and maple syrup until just combined. Do not overmix the frosting or it will break.
- Pipe the frosting on the cupcakes or decorate how you'd like.
Nutrition Information:
I know y’all can never get enough cupcakes, so check out the links below for more fabulous girls loving on Kristan and sharing cupcake recipes!
Cookies and Cups | Zebra Cake Cupcakes
The Hungry Housewife | White Cupcakes
She Wears Many Hats | Pretty in Pink Party Marshmallows
Two Peas and Their Pod | Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes
Bluebonnets and Brownies | Apple Cider Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting
My Baking Addiction | Sugar and Spice Cupcakes
Picky Palate | Pumpkin Brownie Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream
Blooming on Bainbridge | Twinkie Cupcakes with Pink Cherry Frosting
Food For My Family | Pomegranate and Lime Olive Oil Yogurt Cupcakes
Bakingdom | Homemade Twinkie Cupcakes
Sprinkle Bakes | Princess Torte Cupcakes
Glorious Treats | Sweet Baby Cupcakes with Easy Fondant Toppers
Sweet Sugarbelle | Damask Cookies
Dine and Dish | Neapolitan Cream Filled Cupcakes
Chocolate and Carrots | Whole Wheat Chocolate Cupcakes
Bake at 350 | Little Pumpkin Cupcakes
Living Locurto | Baby Shower Printables
Kristen says
I think you need to change your mind about you and cupcakes… these are gorgeous! Such a special treat!
Karly says
@Kristen,
You only say that because you didn’t see me trying to frost them. The piping bag burst halfway through and frosting squirted everywhere. I ended up just smearing it on with an offset spatula. Haha!
Caroline @ chocolate & carrots says
These look delicious! Perfect for a fall baby. ๐ I bet the maple makes them taste like french toast in cupcake form. Mmm!
Karly says
@Caroline @ chocolate & carrots,
It sorta did! Love me some french toast!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Maple cupcakes with maple frosting? You’re so bluffing about that whole “I can’t bake cupcakes” thing. Dude, these are gorgeous. And look delicious.
Karly says
@Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel,
Wish I was bluffing.
Cookbook Queen says
SO sweet!!
This is such a surprise and you’ve made my morning truly special. THANK YOU!!
If only I could have these cupcakes in real life. Well, I guess I COULD make them myself, right? Duh.
Karly says
@Cookbook Queen,
xoxo
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie says
YUM!
heather says
Perfect, perfect, perfect for a fall baby shower!
Amy says
Maple! So in the mood for these right now. I think I could eat one now for breakfast, then another for lunch, and save room for dessert after supper.
Karly says
@Amy,
I see no problems with that. Maple has to be healthier than white sugar, right? So, these are perfectly acceptable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. ๐
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
Love this flavor!
Maria says
Love this flavor! Yum!
TidyMom says
I’m all over Maple cupcakes!! These sound amazing! Great job!
Happy Shower day Kristan!
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
I love maple anything, so these are perfect! So sweet of you to step outside your comfort zone to bake cupcakes for Kristan and Lucy. I think they turned out just wonderful.
shelly (cookies and cups) says
I love these! Obviously you are over your baking slump!
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
The only reason I typically make cupcakes is to eat the FROSTING! Maple on maple. LOVE that idea. I don’t think I’d be able to stop “tasting” the frosting lol.
Karly says
@sally @ sallys baking addiction,
Same here. The frosting is where it’s at!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
What a sweet idea to make cupcakes and the frosting, oh boy, maple + cream cheese = PERFECT!
Glory/ Glorious Treats says
I love anything maple flavored, and these are so perfecty sweet looking too!