Super yummy Fall Time Cupcakes

Pumpkin spice Cupcake with Cream Cheese frosting and Gingersnap Crumb Topping

Ingredients:

1 box of yellow cake mix

1 15 oz can of pumpkin (no spices added if it does omit the spice)

2 tsp Pumpkin pie spice

Eggs, oil and water per the cake mix directions.

Follow the cake mix directions, add the pumpkin and spices in with the eggs. Line your muffin cups and fill each  ¾ the way with batter. I was able to get 18 cupcakes. Bake in a 350 oven for 20 to 25 min until done. Use a toothpick inserted in the cakes, should come out clean when done.

Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Frosting:

Canned frosting is fine this is what I used. But if you have a favorite homemade cream cheese recipe go for it. :)

Frost your cooled cupcakes and top with crumb topping, recipe below.

Gingersnap crumb topping:

¼ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup brown sugar lightly packed

¼ cup graham cracker crumbs, about 3 sheets

2 tbs. all purpose flour

2 tbs. melted butter

¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice

Combine all ingredients until moistened with butter.  Line a sheet pan with foil and spread the topping pressing it to no thinner than 1/4” thickness. Bake in a 350 oven for 12-15 min until golden brown. Take out and allow to cool. Once cool break up to crumb size bits (less than a pea size)

There may be left over topping, use it to top oatmeal or yogurt.

The Dreaded four letter word DIET dun dun dunnnnnn!!!

Been trying to eat healthier lately need to shed some pounds so far 5 pounds in 2 weeks with just eating healthy. But come on who can manage on healthy foods alone when Chocolate and candy and goodies Omy were part of ones life for so many years WAHHHHH!!!! LOL.. But I digress, it's been going well. I haven't cut out junk foods altogether I mean What sane person could! RIght?!?!  I have though found several new recipes to help me get some of the sweet I need in my life without over indulging as I have in the past. Right now I just enjoyed a Brownie sundae and it was yummy under 200 cal and 6 g of fat. WHOOOO!!!! So anywho  I have found a few recipes that I have been testing out, some sweets others mostly revamping for fat and calories or cutting down recipes for 1 person. You'll find some of those here. Right now here is the brownie recipe for y'all....

All mixed up!!

Cooked up not a pretty sight but it is very yummy!!

Microwave Single Serve Brownie
1 tbs all purpose flour
3/4 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbs sugar
1/2 tbs semi sweet chocolate chips
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tbs unsweetened applesauce

Mix all these ingredients into a microwavable mug and mix well. Microwave for 45 sec to 1 min depending on your microwave.
 This was 114 calories and 3 g of fat. (sorry I don't have all the other nutritional values)


You can top this with fat free Cool whip, low fat ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Kay Kay's Coffee cake & Chocolate Chip variation

I have made this for years and it always comes out very yummy..  There have been times I didn't have sour cream on hand so I did substitute sour Milk instead ( 2 Tbs white vinegar in a 1 cup measuring cup and add whole milk to equal 1 cup) There is a slight difference to the cake, but not very noticeable.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9" bundt  or tube pan.
Crumb topping:
1/2 cup Flour
1/4 cup sugar (granutlated)
1/4 cup butter or margarine (softened)
*
In a small bowl combine the above ingredients and with a fork or pastry knife blend until mixture resembles course crumbs.


Cake batter:
3 Tbs Cinnamon**
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1/2 cup butter or margarine (1 stick)
2 cups flour
8 oz sour cream
2 large eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

In a small bowl combine 1/2 cup of sugar and 3 tbs cinnamon and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl add butter and sugar, beat with electric mixer on low till combined then on med/high to light and fluffy. Reduce to low and add flour, sour cream, eggs, baking powder, baking soda and vanilla, beat about 3 minutes or until well blended.

Spread half of the batter in prepared pan. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Spread remaining batter on top and then sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon and sugar mix along with the crumb topping, spread evenly.

Bake in oven for 50-55 min or until a tooth pick inserted comes out clean. Let cool for 10 min then remove from pan . Allow to cool before serving.

Chocolate chip variations:
Follow directions the same making slight adjustments below.
*Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to crumb topping.
**Omit cinnamon and add 3 Tbs of unsweetened cocoa in its place.