Carrot Pineapple Cupcakes

As mentioned previously these were another item brought to the Easter Potluck.  I wanted to do a Carrot Cake style but not the traditional one.  I love it when I can do a "semi" homemade and use a cake box since I had it on hand.  And let's be honest, they have made those pretty fool proof and why not use a box in a pinch.   I always put a box of pudding in the cake mix, just the powder, and it makes the cakes very moist.

I pulled this off the Betty Crocker web site the their picture

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pineapple-carrot-cake/22eae844-444c-4faf-afdc-d76aecbebb72?WT.mc_id=taf_recipe_BC

Cake

1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® butter recipe yellow cake mix

1 box (4-serving size) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup butter, softened

1 to 2 teaspoons grated orange peel

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 eggs

1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained

1 1/2 cups finely shredded carrots (2 to 3 large)

Frosting 3 cups powdered sugar (I only used 2c since I didn't want it as sweet)
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla

Toppings:12 chocolate wafer cookies, finely crushed, if desired
15 sugared carrot decorations, if desired

I used bunny marshmellows, tinted coconut, sprinkles and MMs
Decorate to match any occassion.
 

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour. In large bowl, beat all cake ingredients except carrots with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in carrots. Pour into pan.
• 2 Bake 44 to 50 minutes (46 to 54 minutes for dark or nonstick pan) or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.
• 3 In large bowl, beat powdered sugar, cream cheese, 2 tablespoons butter and the vanilla on low speed until blended. Beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Spread frosting over cake. With knife tip, score cake into 5 rows by 3 rows (15 squares).
• 4 Decorate with your favorite toppings.  Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving. Store covered in refrigerator.

Coming soon, pictures of our trip to Descanso Gardens