The Living Room Concert, Cinnamon Troast Crunch and Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Last year I got a new car, after one terrible day that resulted in my Trooper being totaled thanks to two car accidents. Yep. Two. One day. Same vehicle. It was a bad day. Anyhoo, after getting my new car I discovered The Coffeehouse station on XM radio ( yay for free trials). One day, I was sitting at a red light and heard the first few notes of what was to become one of my favorite songs. "The Most" is a perfect song. I scribbled down the title of the song and the singer, Jon Troast, down and took off to work. On my lunch break I couldn't get his catchy tune out of my head so I decided to look him up on my phone (I never do this). Imagine my surprise when what greeted me on his page was for Jon to come play a show in my living room. WHAT???!!! A chance to sit within mere feet of this dreamboat whose mind dreams up such sweet lyrics...OK! I sent off an e-mail hoping that he would get back to me. That evening I had a message waiting in my inbox from Jon suggesting a few dates in April. I jumped at the chance and just a few weeks later Jon was in my tiny living room playing a concert for me and a handful of friends and neighbors. We all fell in love with Jon's music.
I waited patiently for Jon to send out an e-mail announcing his available dates for his Living Room tour of Southern California. I fired back my response within minutes of his message.
Last night, Jon played a show at the clubhouse of my condo complex for me, a few family members, and about 17 neighbors and friends. His sweet father was accompanying him for the Southern California leg of the tour. Jon did not disappoint. I watched as everyone in the room soaked in the words Jon sang. He is simply amazing! If you have the chance to invite this cutie from Nashville into your home you should. ASAP!

 I made Cinnamon Troast Crunch Cupcakes in honor of our dear troubadour and Pink Lemonade Cupcakes for my momma who loves lemonade more than I could ever understand. Both treats were a big hit with my guests.  Very simple and tasty!

Laurel made a sign so we all could appreciate how PUN-NY I am ;)

I like to store my cupcakes in the fridge until just before they are going to be served. I think they taste best cold :)

Cinnamon Troast Crunch Cupcakes

3 eggs

1/3 cup veggie oil

¾ cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¾ cup sour cream(Daisy brand tastes best)

Vanilla Cake Mix 

2 teaspoons cinnamon 

1 cup crunched up Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal bits 

(Crush the cereal in a gallon bag zipper bag with a rolling pin.)

1.  Preheat oven to 350. Line cupcake pans with 20-22 cupcake liners. 
2.  In the bowl of a mixer, combine cake mix, lemonade concentrate, water, oil and eggs. 
3. Beat on low speed for about a minute. Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes more. 
4. Add  food coloring, folding in until batter is a deep shade of pink. 
5. Fill each cup approx 3/4 full and bake for about 15 minutes, until the middle springs back when lightly touched.

Frosting 

1. In the bowl of a mixer, butter and lemonade concentrate. Beat on medium low until combined.
2.  Slowly add powdered sugar, beating on low until just mixed. Increase speed to high and beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
3. Add a bit of coloring gel until frosting is desired shade of pink.
4. Frost cupcakes and add a generous sprinkling of sugar crystals.

Be prepared to pucker up :)

Recipe inspired from cupcakes found here. Modifications have been made.

Cinnamon Troast Crunch Buttercream:

 1½ cups butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups powdered sugar 

2 tablespoons Heavy whipping cream

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2/3 cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch powder 

Directions:

Cake

1. Whip butter until fluffy. 
2.  Add vanilla and powdered sugar. 
3.  Mix on low or you will end up covered in powdered sugar!
4. Add in whipping cream.
5. Beat on high for a few minutes.
6. Incorporate cereal powder.
7. Frost cupcakes and add 3 cereal squares for flair :)

Note: if you use a pastry bag or frosting gun you might end up frustrated when the cereal gloms together in the frosting tip. I waved the white flag and slopped the frosting on with a rubber spatula. Everyone said they looked great :)

Recipe inspired from cupcakes found here. Modifications have been made

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line pans with 20-22 cupcake liners.

2. In a large bowl, gently combine eggs, oil, buttermilk and vanilla.

3. Mix in sour cream.

4. Add cake mix and cinnamon and mix until smooth.

5. Stir in lightly crushed cereal.

6. Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until an inserted knife comes out clean.  

Buttercream

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Yummy, but tart! Only for those who looooove lemonade!

1 box white cake mix

12oz can frozen Pink Lemonade concentrate, thawed and divided into 1 c and 1/4c

1/3 c water

2 tablespoons veggie oil

3 eggs

1/2 teaspoon Pink food coloring gel (found at Michaels)

Frosting

1 1/2 c butter, softened

1/4 c Pink Lemonade Concentrate (divided from above)

Pink Sugar Sprinkles

Cake