Hot Cocoa Cupcakes (*The Faker Method*)

Have you missed me? Just like you I have been caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season -- I have managed to stamp and color some images, but have I made them into cards yet -- nope! One night really soon I plan to sit down and do that -- it's just that by the time I get to the end of the day I am pooped and just fall into bed and sleep as soon as the kids are asleep. Seriously, it is kind of embarrassing really, that I am going to bed at like 9 pm! Sheesh! I have had to catch up on my shows online lately because I have been too tired to watch.

Anyway, today I decided to test out some cupcakes -- I am going to a Christmas Party and Hayride Caroling Event this weekend at a farm, and I am supposed to bring a dessert, and I thought cupcakes would be perfect! I mean, when aren't cupcakes perfect??? So today, I made Hot Cocoa Cupcakes and tomorrow I plan to try some spice ones. Now for the faker method -- I used chocolate fudge cupcake mix and marshmallow cream by Kraft (SMALL SIDENOTE: Isn't marshmallow cream the weirdest thing ever -- seriously it just amazes me for some reason) for the topping. I got the idea for these yummy cupcakes from Crazy About Cupcakes by Krystina Castella (I have referred to this book before -- I really like it). Oh and the cupcake papers are actually Creme Brulee cups that my friend Jaime told me about from Smart and Final (thanks Jaime). I love them, I think they look totally cute and they make it so you don't have to use a cupcake pan, you can just put them in the oven on a cookie sheet and fit a lot more at once! They are fabulous!!!! Oh and the cupcakes just pop right out of them too! Perfect! Anyway, hope you take some time for holiday baking -- even if it is the faker variety just like me. No one will remember that you brought the not from scratch cupcakes!!!! How could they possibly ever know????