Hello friends and my fellow bakers. It’s time to use our imaginations, well at least mine. You see it’s supposed to hit 100 degrees again this weekend in Phoenix, but my calendar promises that it is fall right now. So I’m going to use my imagination and pretend that I’m wrapped up in a flannel blanket, sipping hot chocolate, and munching on my 11th cupcake – a vanilla pumpkin cupcake that was sent straight to me from the baking angels.

That sounds delightful or at least better than my reality, which includes bouncing my 2 y/o on my lap, drinking bottled water, and running my A/C, since my oven has heated the house baking.

So…. back to fall. I love fall. It’s my favorite season so as you can imagine, it is very hard for me to live in Phoenix during this season. I love football, green grass, and seeing the leaves change colors. And Halloween and Thanksgiving are hands down my favorite holidays. So in honor of all Phoenicians out that who are currently sweating, I bring you cupcake #11- a heavenly concoction of vanilla, cinnamon, and pumpkin created by Cheryl. Cheryl is an amazing blogger behind the popular site, Tidy Mom. Cheryl’s blog not only has amazing recipes, it also is a wonderful resource for organizational tips, cleaning tips, and crafts. Her blog is right up my alley and makes me smile.

Well this recipe didn’t disappoint. Actually, none of them have. I’m actually getting a tad concerned about what I am going to do when I try a cupcake recipe that stinks. Cupcake stress? No such thing.

The recipe is extremely simple and easy to follow. The not so secret, but special ingredient is the Jello Instant Pumpkin Spice pudding mix. After 4 grocery stores, my husband found it at Walmart. This pudding is seasonal so don’t wait, buy 10 boxes right away. Because after you make these, you will gauge your eyeballs out with your Thanksgiving fork if you have run out. They are that good my friends.

My cupcakes fell a little bit after baking as did Cheryl’s the first time she made them. But you know what…that is what frosting is for. You can’t tell at all once the frosting is covering the centers.

I just started a basic cake decorating site (it’s on my list) and they introduced us to the granddaddy piping bags. Little did I know that a plastic bag costing $.25 could make me so happy. No longer am I filling up my bags 2 or 3 times to ice my cupcakes. It obviously takes very little to make me happy, but my cheeks are still hurting from smiling while icing my cupcakes. And this cinnamon buttercream icing, is finger licking awesome! And that is saying a lot considering, I’m not a frosting person. I know. As I’ve said numerous times, I have issues.

This would be the best treat for a breakfast or a before bed snack. Please note: You must be curled up with a flannel blanket and spiced tea or coffee to get the full effect (again, I’m dreaming friends).

So please head over to Cheryl’s site and let her know I sent you. I assure you a treat is in store. The direct link to her recipe is here.

If you are new to this site I am working on a challenge to make 52 cupcakes in honor of my friend who went through chemotherapy with me. Our friends and family members showered us with cupcakes and other treats in the chemotherapy lounge. However, they were the ones to eat them since our diet consisted of saltine crackers and Sprite. I’ll never forget when he leaned toward me out of his recliner and took my hand. He said, “Miss Jenny if we survive cancer, we should eat a different cupcake every week for the rest of our lives.” Sadly, my friend did not survive. So in honor of my friend and all others who have/are fighting this damned disease, I’m making a different cupcake each week for 52 weeks. I am learning to bake, so I seek out great bakers and bloggers and whip up their amazing creations. Since these are not my recipes, I always link directly to the baker’s recipe.

Happy Wednesday! Going forward, I will be posting my cupcake creation every Wednesday- a kind of midweek treat. See you soon friends.