Vanilla Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

Here it is! This is from TidyMom's Blog.. I cannot take credit for thinking this delicious recipe up. I waanted to "test" and make sure they were good for Thanksgiving. They are amazing...



Vanilla Pumpkin Cupcakes
from http://tidymomof2.blogspot.com/2009/11/vanilla-pumpkin-cupcakes-w-cinnamon.html

1 Box Betty Crocker Super Moist French Vanilla cake mix
1 pkg. Jello Instant Pumpkin Spice pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup softened butter
4 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl mix all ingredients, batter will be very thick.

Bake cupcakes 23 mins (test with toothpick)
*my first batch of cupcakes fell - not sure why because I don't think they could have baked any longer - but they still tasted great and you couldn't tell with the frosting on top!

Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

1 cup real butter (softened)
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 pinch of salt
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

In a mixing bowl, blend butter and shortening until smooth. Add a pinch of salt, vanilla and cinnamon. Continue mixing until well blended. Gradually add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Eventually you will have a very thick gooey mixture. On the highest speed of your mixer, stream in the heavy whipping cream- pour nice and slow.
Continue beating on high speed until frosting is fluffy.