M&M Bars ~ Carrot Cupcakes

If you read my first post, then you are familiar with Steven, the “Ice King.” One Saturday afternoon, Steven, my Super Sister and I met up to bake some M&M bars and carrot cupcakes. These carrot cupcakes are incredibly moist and the cream cheese frosting is the perfect complement. The M&M bars are a great to-go snack and the peanut butter chips match really well with the M&Ms but if you do not like peanut butter, you can combine it with any other candy! Enjoy!

M&M Bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup peanut butter chips
• 1-3/4 cups plain M&M’s, divided

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Bear in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in chips and 1 cup of M&M’s.

Spoon into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan; spread evenly in pan. Sprinkle with the remaining M&M’s. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. 

Courtesy of tasteofhome.com

Carrot Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
• 8 ounces bar cream cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a standard 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners. In a bowl, combine sugar, vegetable oil, orange juice, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and eggs. Stir in baking powder, baking soda, allspice, and salt. Add flour; mix. Stir in carrots.

  

Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 25 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting.

Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Frost cupcakes.

Courtesy of marthastewart.com