Easy Chocolate Cupcakes

Easy Chocolate Cupcakes

1 1/2 c. plain flour

1 c. sugar

1/4 c. cocoa

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. water

1/4 c. + 2 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients together. Add in liquid ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour mixture into a paper lined muffin tin. Bake 16-18 minutes. Ice with your favorite icing or use the butter cream icing recipe below.

Butter Cream Icing

1/2 c. Crisco

1/2 c. softened butter (not melted)

4 c. powdered sugar

2 tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter and shortening. Add sugar, milk and vanilla. Blend until creamy.

Enjoy!

Toasted Pecans

This is one of my favorite recipes to make and give as gifts during the holidays!

Pour 4 cups of pecan halves (or almonds) onto a large baking pan, spreading them out evenly. Melt 1/2 cups of butter or margarine in a saucepan. Add 4 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon of garlic salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce. Stir the liquid mixture and drizzle it over the nuts. Stir them just a little to make sure they are completely coated.

Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes at 300 degrees. Stir them periodically to make sure they toast evenly.

Pour them onto paper towels to absorb any excess butter. Once cool, place them in an airtight storage container to keep them fresh until you are ready to serve or gift them.

Start of "What's Cooking in Paige's Kitchen?"

I am so excited to create this blog where I can share favorite recipes with my readers! Check back soon as I post about new cake recipes.