Confectionery Canary

If you're looking for the prefect autumn treat look no further! These delicious little cakes are sure to be a favorite at any holiday gathering you attend this season! I usually only make these once a year for Thanksgiving but they're so yummy I may have to half the recipe and make them again before next year! I've used this recipe to make a cake and to make cupcakes.  This recipe makes one 9 x 13 cake or about 30 cupcakes.  Whether you're making these cupcakes for Thanksgiving, Christmas or just a seasonal treat, I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Ingredients:
- 2 lbs sweet potatoes
- 1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups flour
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Mash sweet potatoes. Beat egg and sugar until fluffy. Add cup of vegetable oil and sweet potatoes. Mix well. Sift together flour, baking power, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add into potato mixture. Mix until just combined.  Add vanilla. Bake cake for 40 to 45 minutes, cupcakes for 15 to 20 minutes.  Finish them off with cinnamon cream cheese frosting and chopped pecans if you wish!

Cream Cheese Frosting is one of the most simple, delicious and versatile frosting's you can make! It's great on cupcakes, cakes, cookies and spoons! ;) Add a dash of cinnamon and it makes cream cheese frosting the perfect accompaniment to seasonal desserts.

What you'll need:
-1 8oz block of cream cheese (room temperature)
-3 to 4 cups of confectioner's sugar -1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions: Let cream cheese reach room temperature. Place in bowl of electric mixer. Sift in confectioner's sugar cup by cup. Cream together on medium speed. Add in vanilla and cinnamon, scrape down bowl, mix thoroughly until thick and fluffy. Add more sugar for thicker frosting.  Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes if using a piping bag, (this helps stiffen the frosting to better show the design you pipe) otherwise, ice cooled cakes or cookies and enjoy!  For more frosting, simply double or triple all ingredients.

Red Velvet Cupcakes, the perfect Southern treat!  I've been on the lookout for a great red velvet cupcake recipe for a while. And this one is pretty tasty!  I adapted it from a Georgetown Cupcake recipe and here's what I came up with!  It's fluffy, moist and chocolaty delicious!

What You'll Need:
- 7 Tablespoons butter (room temp)
- 1/2 cup + 6 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons red food color
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cup sifted flour
- 3/4 teaspoon vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy; about 3 to 5 minutes. Add egg, mix until combined.  In a separate bowl, mix cocoa powder, red food coloring and vanilla.  Add to butter mixture and mix well.  Add salt to milk. Alternate adding flour and milk, mixing on low until just combine. Scrape down sides as need. In a separate bowl mix vinegar and baking soda and quickly add to batter. Just combine, do not over mix.  Scoop batter into lined cupcake pan. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Bake for about 20 minutes. Makes about 18 cupcakes. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting or my new favorite, White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting!

This frosting is...ahhhmazing!  If you're looking for something other than your typical buttercream or my personal favorite, cream cheese frosting, look no further! This white chocolate cream cheese frosting is so differently delicious, it will take good cupcakes and make them over the top great! And it's so tasty too! (I Love Lucy anyone?) ;) This frosting has such a silky smooth texture and it holds up well to piping. The tartness of the cream cheese cuts the richness of the white chocolate nicely, making for the perfect balance and the perfect frosting!

What You'll Need:
- 8 oz cream cheese (full fat)
- 1/2 cup white chocolate bits
- 3 cups confectioner's sugar sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature. Whip cream cheese in mixer or by hand for a couple minutes. Melt chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave in 30 second intervals stirring between each increment. Repeat until chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Let cool completely.  Add melted white chocolate and vanilla extract to whipped cream cheese, mix thoroughly.  Slowly add in confectioner's sugar, incorporate until smooth. Use right away or refrigerate for 30 minutes for a stiffer frosting.  Enjoy atop red velvet cupcakes, cookies or anything your heart desires!