Swoon Fest: Monday Munchies #3

Monday Munchies is brought to us by KJ's Book Nook.

Take it away, KJ:

So if you are like me when reading the Love and Dessert Trilogy, your mouth was probably watering the whole time! And when you got to My Sweetheart you probably drooled just a little bit when you first read Jane's creation of Matafeo cupcakes! I have read several reviews saying how much they would LOVE the recipe for Matafeo cupcakes.

Well... since I was in a creative, baking mood one night, I decided that I was going to do MY take on the famous Matafeo Cupcakes!! Yes... you heard me right... MATAFEO CUPCAKES!! YAY!! Are you doing a happy dance?! Maybe just a little bit?! Because I am NOT ashamed to admit I did a MAJOR happy dance and then took a plate over to my neighbors so I did NOT eat them all!! They were THAT good!! And YES!! I am bragging!! LOL. Thank you, Shannon, for making this happen!!

So... what will you need to make these scrumdiddilyumptious cupcakes?!

Betty Crocker's Milk Chocolate Cake Mix (you can definitely use any of the chocolate mixes but this was the one that I picked the first night)
Betty Crocker's Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Smuckers Caramel Sauce
Lindt Lindor Caramel Truffles OR Caramel Hersey Kisses
Heath Toffee Bits
Eggs
Real Butter
Whole Milk

First I want to share with you a "secret" that I found on the internet. And I have to tell you I will NEVER be following the directions on the cake mix box AGAIN! Are you ready for this?!

Step 1: Look at the directions on the cake mix.
Step 2: Add one more egg (or add 2 if you want it to be very rich).
Step 3: Use melted real butter instead of oil and double the amount.
Step 4: Instead of water, use whole milk.
Step 5: Mix well and bake for the time recommended on the box.

Now... to get the caramel into the center of the cupcakes. I have come up with 3 different options. The first is good old Smuckers Caramel sauce. I spent $15 and purchased a Wilton Cupcake Decorating Kit on Amazon. Best. Idea. Ever! It has a tool that will insert the filling into the middle of the cupcake for you! Or you can do what I did the first time and take an unused straw and poke holes through the cupcakes then just pour the caramel sauce onto them.

Another way you can do it is as soon as the cupcakes come out of the oven you can take a knife and cut an X into the top. Once that is done you will take a Lindt Lindor Caramel Truffle and push it into the center of the cupcake until it is flush with the top of the cupcake. The reason you need to do it as soon as it comes out is so that the truffle will MELT and spread all the ooey, gooey deliciousness into the cupcake!!

And the last way you can do it is with caramel Hersey kisses. You will bake the cupcakes for 5 minutes before you put the Hersey kiss upside down into each cupcake. I personally don't really care of this way because the cupcakes do not rise and look beautiful... they sink and you have a crater in the middle! But some may like that so they can put more frosting on the top! ;) Hehe.

Once the cupcakes have cooled the decorating begins! It's not hard... I promise! But it is OH SO YUMMY! Again.. I used my cupcake decorating kit but you can use a good ol' knife too! Once they are frosted you will sprinkle the Heath Bits all over the top. And no... we are NOT stopping there! For the grand finale you will drizzle the caramel syrup over the top of the cupcake! Oh. My. HECK! It is to DIE for!

YOU ARE WELCOME!!

And, as always, if you try these, make sure to tell us what you think!! I'm excited for someone other than ME to try them and let everyone know just how WONDERTASTICAL they are!! ;) Hehe.

Don't forget to enter to win this week's prizes!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway