Mini Cakes And Cupcakes Recipes

MINI CARROT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Make the topping: Peel long ribbons from the carrot using a vegetable peeler, then slice the ribbons lengthwise into 1/4-inch-wide strands (you'll need about 48).
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Bring the granulated sugar and 3/4 cup water to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the carrot strands and simmer until soft, about 10 minutes. Drain and cool slightly. Arrange the strands in squiggles on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake until dry, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Make the cupcakes: Raise the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Line two 24-cup mini-muffin pans with paper liners. Put the flour, almonds, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and allspice in a food processor and pulse until the nuts are finely ground.
• Whisk the grated carrots, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl until combined. Stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Divide among the mini-muffin cups, filling each three-quarters of the way. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 5 minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the pans to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: Beat the confectioners' sugar, cream cheese and butter with a mixer until fluffy. Beat in the lemon juice and almond extract. Pipe or spread on the cupcakes. Top with the candied carrots.

MINI CHEESECAKES FROM PHILADELPHIA®

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Mix graham crumbs, 2 Tbsp. sugar and butter; press onto bottoms of 18 paper-lined muffin pan cups.
• Beat cream cheese, remaining 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crusts.
• Bake 25 to 30 min. or until centers are almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 2 hours.
• Beat whipping cream with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form; spread gently onto cheesecakes. Top with blueberries and lemon zest.

MINI CAKE CONES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Prepare cake batter as directed on package; stir in 2 Tbsp. sprinkles. Cover tops of 2 mini muffin pans with foil, pressing edges of foil around edges of pans to secure. Use sharp knife to poke small hole in foil over center of each muffin cup. Place bottom of 1 ice cream cone over each hole, then carefully press cone through foil so cone stands upright in muffin cup. Spoon cake batter into cones, filling each about 3/4 full.
• Bake 12 to 15 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers of cupcakes comes out clean. Cool completely.
• Spoon frosting into medium bowl. Add COOL WHIP; whisk until blended. Spoon into resealable plastic bag; cut off one bottom corner of bag. Use to pipe COOL WHIP mixture onto cupcakes to resemble swirled ice cream. Top with remaining sprinkles.