Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

For my Mom-Mom's birthday I thought I would surprise her with some "pretty in pink" cupcakes complete with delicious, decadent frosting. Sure enough, they put a huge smile on her face:o)

Double Chocolate Cupcakes with

 Cream Cheese Frosting

yields 12 cupcakes & 4  1/4 cups frosting

Ingredients You Will Need:

one box of Paula Deen's double chocolate cupcake mix

1/4 cup oil

1/2 cup water

2 eggs

1  8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1/2 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened to room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup half and half

In an electric mixer, combine the box of Paula Deen's cupcake mix, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup oil and 1/2 cup water. Mix together on low speed while you add each ingredient into the mixer, then mix on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes thick and smooth. Pour into cupcake liners and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

To make the cream cheese frosting, beat 1  8 ounce package of softened cream cheese, 1/2 stick of softened butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until blended. When mixture becomes thick, add 1/4 cup of half and half at high speed for 1 minute until it becomes smooth and slightly thinner.

When cupcakes are finished baking, allow them to cool on a cooling rack.

Add the cream cheese frosting into a piping bag and frost the cupcakes. Immediately sprinkle with clear crystallized sugars.

Enjoy! This frosting is DIVINE and guaranteed to wow your crowd:o)