Pecan Mocha Chocolate Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream Icing

Did you read the whole title of this post? Go read it. Doesn't it sound AMAZING? That's because it is! And I'm going to tell you how I made them. :3

Don't these look brilliant? :3

Pecan Mocha Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 box chocolate cake mix of your choice
2 tbsp instant coffee
1 cup pecan bits

Directions

1) Prepare cake mix using the instructions on the box, but add 2 tbsp of instant coffee also!

You just add it straight in and mix it up!

2) After mixing, stir in pecan bits using a spoon.

Yum! 8D

3) Bake cupcakes like normal!

The suspense! :D

While the cupcakes bake, you can make your icing! I originally tried 2 recipes. The first one I made flopped because it had too much caramel topping in it. :( The second one was awesome though so I'm going to share that one!

Caramel Buttercream Icing

Ingredients

1 stick butter
1/2 cup shortening
2/3 cup caramel topping
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1) Beat shortening and butter in mixer until creamy.

Crea-may! :D

2) Add caramel topping and vanilla. Beat until well mixed.

Yum!

3) Add powdered sugar one cup at a time. Beat until light and fluffy!

I initially sifted my powdered sugar, but after the

first cup, I got impatient and didn't sift

the rest. LOL!

Action-y! :D

 I forgot to take a picture of the finished icing. :( But it's ok. :) NOW! Take your beautiful cupcakes and start icing them! After you ice them, drizzle some caramel topping on top and sprinkle some pecans for the fancy look. ;)

Look at that. :3 YUM!

Now since this is my first return post since my absence last year, I feel like I need to share some cute pictures of my sweet boy! He will be 11 months on July 8th! :D Enjoy!