St. Patrick's Pistachio Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing

St. Patrick's Pistachio Cupcakes 

with Cream Cheese Icing

Baking isn’t my favorite activity, but I love a good excuse to make ‘themed’ food. St. Patrick’s Day is such a spirited holiday full of green food.  This recipe not only made these cupcakes, but I was also able to make pistachio bread to serve to my coworkers too.

Cake Ingredients 1 box yellow cake mix 4 eggs 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 small box pistachio pudding mix 1/2 cup sour cream 8-12 drops green food coloring

Frosting 8 oz softened cream cheese 1 stick softened butter, unsalted 2 cups powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract Yellow food coloring  Gold Pearl Dust or Sprinkles (optional)

(note: If you only bake one batch of the cupcakes, halve the frosting recipe.)

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  

In a stand or electric mixer, add cake mix, eggs, water, oil, pudding, and sour cream.  

Beat on medium for 1 1/2 minutes.  Slowly beat in 5-8 drops of green decorating paste until you get desired color of green.  

Scoop batter into paper lined mini cupcake tins.  (I found gold ones!)

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until cooked through.  Let cool completely.

To prepare frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. 

Slowly add powdered sugar until creamy and thick. 

Add in vanilla and a few drops of yellow food coloring.

 

Frost cupcakes and sprinkle with gold pearl dust or sprinkles if desired.