Reindeer Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting | $10 Giveaway

We are getting ready for the holidays over here with our little reindeer creations. There has always been something about this time of year that makes me want to bake (and bake and bake). It's better than ever this year because I have the cutest little helper in the kitchen! My daughter might actually like baking more than I do (which is saying a lot) so she keeps me motivated to try new things. I made some reindeer cookies last year, but when I saw the cinnamon cream cheese frosting recipe on Pinterest I knew I needed to try it. Klair wasn't sad about the idea. We had a lot of fun making our Rudolph's and licking the frosting from the bowl (because yes, it's that good).


Ingredients

Cupcakes:

• 1 Box of Betty Crocker Cake Mix (We picked yellow, but chocolate would also work well)
• 1 Package of vanilla pudding mix
• Butter milk
• Candy
• Chocolate covered pretzels 

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting (adapted from Creme de la Crumb)

• 4 cups powdered sugar 
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 
• 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream 

Instructions: 

Follow the instructions on the Betty Crocker box. Add the package of vanilla pudding mix and replace half of the water with buttermilk (this creates extremely soft and amazing cupcakes). 

When the cupcakes are cooled prepare the frosting. Beat the cream cheese until it's fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add the vanilla, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and mix until smooth. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar. Add 1 to 2 more tablespoons of heavy cream as needed to thin the frosting to a desired consistency. (Note: If you are wanting to pipe the frosting on you'll need a thicker consistency so use less heavy cream. Depending on how thick you want the frosting you may have to double the recipe as well). Spread (or pipe) the frosting on the cooled cupcakes and store cupcakes and any leftover frosting in an airtight container.  

Next comes the fun part. I had my daughter and her cousins help me put the chocolate dipped pretzels and candies on the cupcakes to create our Rudolphs. They loved helping me decorate the reindeer while eating the candies. It's a fun Christmas tradition I definitely want to continue! And now I want to find more recipes to use this frosting on... 

$10 GIVEAWAY 

And don't forget I've partnered with WinCo, Betty Crocker, and Chex and I'm giving one lucky follower an opportunity to win $10 in Paypal cash. This giveaway will go for one week and the winner will be notified via email. Good luck!

Click Here for Easy Entry $10 Giveaway! 

Click here for Betty Crocker and Chex coupons!

This post is sponsored by WinCo & Betty Crocker but the content and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Summer Style & Life Lately

July has not been my month. Although we've had some fun adventures, the last few weeks have been riddled with sickness. At the beginning of the month Klair had a cough, but she managed to kick it pretty quickly and I thought perhaps our stroke of luck was an early 4th of July present from the universe. I was wrong. On the 3rd, just as Klair was getting better, I began to feel the beginnings of a cold. I started out the day feeling a little off, and bit by bit the symptoms grew increasingly worrisome... fatigue, headache, dizziness, and then... the dreaded sore throat. Airborne didn't keep this catastrophe at bay. What began over two weeks ago now is still lingering. I actually thought I was over it last week, but our Bear Lake trip proved to be too much for my immune system. I guess water skiing and recovering from a cold aren't compatible. My punishment for over-extending myself was a weekend spent in bed. Today I awoke feeling pretty good. I thought maybe, just maybe the heavens were finally smiling down upon me. And then Klair woke up with a nose that was running like a faucet. We're back to square one. And to top it off my husband says he feels like he might be getting sick. Am I missing something? Isn't it supposed to be... summer right now? I feel like we are smack dab in the middle of cold season again. 

Thus, I apologize for the lack of posting as of late. These photos were actually taken awhile ago, and I'm grateful to have them at my disposal. I'm thinking the yellow hue of this top was waiting for a gloomy day like this to make a bright, summery appearance. 

This bow-back blouse featured came from Loopsway. Not too long ago I did another product review for this lovely company that you can see here. Loopsway is a fab online boutique that sells both jewelry and clothing at affordable prices. Check them out. I'm in love with everything on their site!

Loopsway 

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Here's to hoping that the second half of July proves to be kinder and that my family can start feeling better sooner rather than later. In the mean time, I'll probably just head on over to the Loopsway website and create a wishlist of all their beautiful, heart-warming, happiness-inducing products.  

Blouse (not currently on Loopsway site, similar Here, Here and cheaper Here) | Wedges | Jeans | Watch

Springtime Accessory Giveaway Winner!

The Spring Time Giveaway hosted by myself and Emma Cristy of www.emmacristy.com now closed.  The winner of the two statement necklaces, nail polish, and faux leather hair bow tie is...

Congratulations Melissa!  We will contact you shortly so you can receive your prize :) And Thank you all for participating!  Have a great Wednesday!