King Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing {Recipe}
: Dessert
 
A fun twist on the tradition of Mardi Gras King Cakes!
Ingredients
Cake Batter
  • White Boxed Cake Mix (makes life simple - make as directed)
  • 2 Tbs. Cinnamon (divided)
  • 1 Tbs. Sugar
  • ½ teaspoon lemon extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chopped pecans (approximate - I only sprinkled pecans on half)
Cream Cheese Icing
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1.5 Tbs. vegetable shortening
  • 3 Tbs. unsalted butter
  • 1 pound powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Mix cupcakes as directed on box mix and preheat oven as directed. Add 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon of lemon extract to batter.
  2. In separate bowl combine remaining 1 tablespoon of cinnamon to 1 tablespoon of sugar. (Feel free to adjust this ratio as desired).
  3. Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full with batter mixture. On top of each cupcake sprinkle a bit of cinnamon and sugar mixture. Take a toothpick and swirl the mixture into the cupcake slightly.
  4. Sprinkle the chopped pecans on top if desired. Use as few or as little as you like.
  5. Bake as directed.
Cream Cheese Icing
  1. Cream together the softened cream cheese, shortening, and butter.
  2. Add vanilla extract and gently add in the powdered sugar with the mixer on low.
  3. Add additional powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
  4. Top with purple, green, and gold sugar sprinkles for a true king cake design!
Recipe by NOLA Mommy at https://www.nolamommy.com/2012/02/king-cake-cupcakes-recipe/