Cupcake Variations

Buy a vanilla cupcake mix:

Carrot Cupcakes: Bake as directed except add 1 1/2 cups grated carrots, 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1/2 tsp ginger to the batter

Buy devils food cake mix:

Coconut Chocolate Cupcakes:Bake as directed except add 1 tsp coconut extract and 1 cup lightly toasted sweetened shredded coconut to the batter (to toast coconut, scatter it on a baking sheet and toast in a 350 degree oven until golden , 3 - 5 minutes. Watch carefully; it goes from toasted to scorched in seconds)

Chocolate Amaretto Cupcakes: Bake as directed except substitute 1/4 cup amaretto for 1/4 cup of the water in package directions and add 1/2 tsp almond extract to the batter.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcakes: Use peanut butter (preferably chunky) in place of the oil in the package directions

Espresso Cupcakes: Substitute 1/4 cup Kahlua for 1/4 cup of the water in the package directions and add 1 Tb instant espresso powder to the batter

Got idea from Real Simple Celebrations Book