Butterscotch Spice Cupcakes

This is a recipe that I adapted from the Cake Doctor. Of all the cupcakes I make, even those completely from scratch, this is the second most requested cupcake. They are smoothly sweet and spicy with a happy ending.

BUTTERSCOTCH SPICE CUPCAKES

1 package spice cake mix (your favorite brand)

1 package (3.4 oz) instant butterscotch pudding mix

1 cup of water

1/2 cup oil

4 large eggs

2 oz germans chocolate, grated on the fine blades of your cheese grater.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 recipe of cream cheese icing (see my favorite recipe below)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
chocolate covered peanuts

Mix cake mix, pudding mix, grated chocolate, water, oil, eggs, and vanilla on low speed until combined. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides. Continue mixing for 2 minutes on medium speed. (This is important: mix for the entire 2 minutes.)

Scoop 1/3 cup of batter into 22-24 lined, standard size cupcake cups. Each cup should be just about 3/4 filled.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Cupcakes should spring back when you lightly press your finger onto the top of them.

While the oven is still on, toast the pecan pieces on a baking sheet for 3-5 minutes. You should smell toasty pecan goodness.

While cupcakes are cooling completely, mix your cream cheese icing. Here's my favorite recipe.

CREAM CHEESE ICING
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese at room temperature (reduced fat is fine it you like)
4 Tbls. butter at room temperature (margarine is not a good substitution)
3 cups of confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

Place cream cheese and butter in mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed until completely blended. Stop the machine and scrape the sides of the bowl. On low speed, add confectioner's sugar slowly. Then add the cinnamon and vanilla and combine completely.

When the cupcakes are cooled, ice generously with frosting. Put pecan pieces in a small bowl and dip the cupcake into the nuts so that some of the cling to the icing. Add a chocolate covered peanut to the center.

Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the first one yourself!