Also known as Beckett's Birthday Cupcakes! I wanted to do something a little healthier and not so sinfully sweet, and this turned out to be the perfect recipe. So of course, it must be shared. I found both recipes on allrecipes.com and altered them to my liking.



Apple Banana Walnut Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 2/3 cup shortening OR applesauce
* 1 1/4 cups white sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 cup vanilla yogurt
* 2 ripe bananas, mashed
* 3 small apples - peeled, cored and chopped
* 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
* 1 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour 24 muffin cups, or use paper liners. Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening/applesauce and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and yogurt. Beat in the flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Fold in the mashed bananas and chopped apples, then add the walnuts and white chocolate chips. Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool.



Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS

* 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon almond extract
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 3/4 cup powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, brown sugar, vanilla and almond extract. Beat with an electric mixer. When mixture starts to stiffen, stop mixer and add honey.

2. Continue to beat until light and fluffy. Then add the powdered sugar and mix until well blended.

3. Ice cupcakes immediately. I used a small amount of icing because I didn't want to overpower the already very flavorful cupcakes. Also, if you would like less almond flavor, cut the amount of almond extract in half.


Of course, these wouldn't be complete for the birthday boy without a finishing touch. So I added what else? Dinosaurs!