Nick’s 63rd Birthday

OK, so it’s not really Nick’s 63rd birthday… he is 36; but 63 is just around the corner Anyways, I made him these awesome cupcakes because he is a total shit head! Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo… is one of my favorite South Park characters. I made him out of royal icing. I love sugar art!

These were carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. The carrot cake had a good flavor and was really moist. Everyone seemed to like them a lot.

Carrot Cake

makes 24 cupcakes

• 1 ¼ cup cake flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• pinch of nutmeg
• 1 ½ sticks of butter
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ cup apple juice
• ¼ cup sour cream
  
• ½ lb. finley shredded carrots
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat over to 325ºF. In a electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together butter and sugars until light and airy; about 4 minutes. Add in eggs one at a time and beat for an additional 3 minutes. Add vanilla, apple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, ginger, and carrots beat until well combined. Fold in pecans. Fill cupcake cups 2/3 full and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the skewer comes out clean.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 8 ounces unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 lb. powdered sugar

In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment cream together cream cheese and butter, add powdered sugar (very slowly or else you will make a big mess), vanilla, and salt. Slowly move up to high speed and beat for about 4 minutes.