Chili Chese Fry Cupcakes by One Fine Cookie

These would be perfect "man treats" for football Sunday!

Chili Cheese Fry Cupcakes

Again, these take a bit of preparation, so start early!

For the french fry part,

-potatoes

- salt and pepper (or I like to use Jane’s Krazy Mixed Up Seasoning Salt. So much better. Found in spice aisle.)

- olive oil or olive oil spray

For the chili part,

Note: The spices listed are STARTING points! I believe in starting with an amount of spices, then tasting a few hours in and adding more. Also, we all like chili our own way so you need to decide for yourself to leave out hot spices if you don’t like heat or sweet spices if you don’t like sweet. A good cook can look at a recipe and adjust it to their own taste. (Someone wanted a beer cupcake recipe. My beer and bacon cupcake was suggested, and their response was, “Oh I won’t use that I don’t like bacon.” Ummmmm LEAVE THE BACON OUT DUMMY. You people are smart enough to know you don’t have to stick to a recipe exactly. Duh.)

If you have your own chili recipe, then just use that. Make sure it is not too wet or stew-like, though.

Or, my recipe:

- 1  1/2 lbs of ground beef (I like to use a cut of beef and grind it myself. If you like to do this then just 1  1/2 lbs of a good cut of beef, without the bone)

- 3-4 tablespoons of tomato paste (remember, this is a starting point! if you don’t like tomato flavor then use less.)

-1 can of kidney beans (If you don’t like kidney beans then just use more ground beef and leave the beans out)

- 1 can of diced and peeled tomatoes

- 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

- 1 green or yellow pepper, finely chopped

- 1 large onion, finely chopped

- a dash or more of red pepper flakes (if you don’t like heat start with one dash. I like my chili spicy, so I start with a handful)

- 6-8 teaspoons of chilli powder (same not as the red pepper flakes)

- 6-8 teaspoons of smoked paprika (ditto)

- 1-2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper (ditto)

- 2-4 tablespoons of brown sugar (just as with the spicy, if you like sweet chili go heavy on the brown sugar. If you like less sweet go light.)

- 1  1/2 tablespoons of salt

- 1 bay leaf

- 3-4 tablespoons of cocoa powder (same as the note for the brown sugar)

- 1/2  can or bottle of your favorite beer

- 1 tablespoon or oregano

For the topping,

-sour cream (optional)

-green onions, sliced (optional)

- a block of cheddar and/or pepper jack cheese

For step by step directions, visit:

http://www.1finecookie.com/2011/07/chili-cheese-fry-cupcakes/

Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes by Blessed Beyond Measure Blog

These look so good!

Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes

*Lemon Cake Mix and ingredients listed on back of the box

*(2) 6oz. containers of raspberries (one for the cake and one for garnish.)

Make the cake according to box instructions and while blending it with an electric mixer, add 6 oz of fresh raspberries.

Bake per instructions on back of the box.

Homemade Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

*(2) sticks of real butter.  It's important that you use real butter for best results.

*Powdered sugar (3 cups or so)

*One package of cream cheese

*Zest of one lemon

Soften butter by letting it sit at room temp while you make the cake.  Take butter and add a cup or two at a time of powdered sugar while mixing with electric mixer until prefered consistency (slightly firm.)  I just kept adding sugar so I didn't measure exactly but you will know when you have it like you want it.  Then, add cream cheese.  I added the whole package but if you want a lighter cream cheese flavor, add half.  Keep blending and add lemon zest.  Blend until flavors are mixed well and you're ready to frost!  Garnish cupcakes with raspberries.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

I saw these cupcakes posted on Whipperberry's Blog and couldn't resist posting them myself! I would love to make these! Maybe for Tyler's birthday??!!

For the Dough:

2 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp milk
1 tbsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Combine the butter and sugars in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in milk and vanilla until incorporated and smooth. Beat in the flour and salt until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

For the cupcakes…

1 Box of white or vanilla cake mix {along with the ingredients for the mix}

-Bake the cupcakes as directed.  Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.

- cut out the center of the cupcake while its still warm and replace with cookie dough (you can buy a little device at Bed Bath and Beyond that will take out the center!)

-Let the cupcakes cool completely and then frost them with your favorite white or vanilla frosting.  Sprinkle with some mini chocolate chips and there you go!!