Pumpkin Pie Pop Tart Cupcakes...wink wink

 I have a confession.

Please don't judge me.

Here goes...

{deep breath}

My name is Shelly and I am an over-emoticoner.

I might have just coined a new term, so for those of you who are like, "whaaa?" here's the deal...

I am a frequent over-user of the emoticon.  You know those cute little "faces" on emails and texts made from letters and/or punctuation.

My face of choice is the "wink" ;)

I use and use and use this face.

I'm kind in love with the wink face.

It gives you some freedom with words on a text or email to be like, "Hey, totally kidding, dude".

It kinda comes in handy when there is something that you want to get off your chest but don't want the other person to take it the wrong way.

Here's an extreme case:

"You're a skank ;)"

See what I did there?

I totally insulted someone, but it came across as cute banter.

It's a pretty handy little guy, that wink face.

I do find some emoticons skeevy...for example:

: P

That's supposed to be someone sticking their tongue out.
Who does that?  

That's just yuck.

>:-]

That guy is evil.  Don't like him either.  It reminds me of Gargamel from the Smurfs.  Don't ask..I'm a freak.  I have hidden childhood trauma that peaks out every now and then.

So, a few weeks ago I told you guys I didn't like pumpkin.

NOW, I will tell you "that I don't like pumpkin ;)"

Since I "winked" at you, you know that the pumpkin has won me over.

Love the wink.

Now I don't love it in a full-fledged pumpkin pie way, but I have matured my palate enough to tolerate...even enjoy it in small amounts.  Did I just sounds as smart as I think I did?  

So, check this out...maybe the coolest thing I have seen in a while...

The Pumpkin Pie Pop Tart!

 I had to buy them when I saw them sitting there on the shelf at my beloved Target.

What to do with them, you ask?

Cupcakes, duh.

 Here are the details...longest title ever...

 Brown Sugar Pumpkin Pop Tart Cupcakes with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting

I used this recipe for brown sugar cupcakes.

It will make 12 cupcakes.

Now, enter 8 Pop Tarts.  (4 packs)

First, cut off the crust and eat discard.

Next chop 7 of the Pop Tarts into squares getting about 12 pieces from each.

Chop the last Pop Tart the same way, but reserve for garnish.

Fold the chopped Pop Tarts into the batter.

Bake according to recipe.

For the frosting:

1 8oz block of cream cheese softened

1/4 cup butter softened

1/4 cup pureed pumpkin

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice

5 cups sifted powdered sugar.

Cream butter and cream cheese together.

Add pumpkin and vanilla.

Mix until combined.

Slowly add the sugar and pumpkin pie spice on low until combined and then mix on medium for 1 min until smooth.

Pipe on cooled cupcakes.

Garnish with reserved Pop Tart pieces.

See the Pop Tarts baked in?

Pumpkiny, but not too Pumpkiny ;)

Have a :)))) day!

Do you emoticon like me?
Tweet