Cupcakes~Wrap 'em up!

Isn't it fun just how popular cupcakes have become! I enjoy making cupcakes (goes back to my LOVE of the individual serving). As a part-time caterer, I would much rather get orders for cupcakes...much easier than decorating a whole cake in my opinion. One of the FUN things I love doing for my cupcakes is adding a WRAP. There are lots of places you can order or buy these, but I save that expense and make my own. A very easy-peasy project. I found a template here. I use a decorative scrapbook paper and make my cupcakes look festive and fun for whatever event I am making them for.

From the recent Vintage-Themed Baby Shower I hosted.

Recently I was contacted by my friends at Gooseberry Patch. They plan to use my favorite Double-Maple Cupcakes in their SOON to be released book, 101 Cupcake, Cookie & Brownie Recipes (stay-tuned for a review and giveaway of this book). These are very special cupcakes for sure!



Double-Maple Cupcakes
(Printable Version)

Cupcakes:
½ cup granulated sugar
5 Tbs butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp imitation maple flavoring
2 large eggs
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
1¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup lowfat milk
¼ cup maple syrup

Frosting:
3 Tbs maple syrup
2 Tbs butter, softened
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp imitation maple flavoring
1/8 tsp salt
1¾ cups powdered sugar

Toasted pecan pieces, optional

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. To prepare cupcakes, beat first 4 ingredients at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended (about 5 minutes). Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, and ¼ tsp. salt in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Combine milk and ¼ cup maple syrup. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix after each addition. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. Prepare frosting: Beat 3 Tbsp. Maple syrup and next 4 ingredients (syrup through 1/8 tsp. salt) at medium speed of a mixer 1 minute. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating just until blended (do not overbeat). Spread the frosting over cupcakes. dip in toasted pecans. Makes 12 cupcakes.

Joining at at~

Betty's 2nd Cupcake Sunday
Lisa's Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday