MSC Zucchini-Spice Cupcakes

If you are like me then you have zucchini and tomatoes coming out of your ears!  The garden is over flowing with produce and I'm always looking for ways to use it all up.  I was looking forward to this months Martha Stewart Cupcake Club entry to use up some zucchini.  Tracey's Culinary Adventures chose this months cupcake and it was perfect.  For a reminder of what I'm talking about, I joined a cupcake club and you can read more details about it here.  Please check out the blogroll here to see all other blogger's/baker's entries.  You will be able to see all the interpretations to the same recipe!  Fun, fun!

This cupcake was fairly easy and fun to make.  I will tell you now that this recipe really made me excited for fall.  There is something nostalgic and heartwarming about the smell of nutmeg and cinnamon wafting from the oven.  Oh, I love it!  It reminds of being in my grandma's kitchen on a chilly fall day.  *sigh*  Anyway, this recipe calls for roasted walnuts, which I roasted myself!  Sounds fancy and time consuming, but really you just stick the walnuts in the oven for about 8 min.  It pulls out the aroma and makes them taste yummy.  Most of the people in my life don't really like nuts in their baked goods, but I had to add it and be true to the recipe.  I'm glad I did.  I think they really added to the cake.  I'm sure my poppy would agree.  He's the one that gets mad when I leave them out.  :)

These little cakes were topped with Martha Stewart's Cream Cheese Frosting.  I was very excited about this recipe.  I've tried many Cream Cheese Frostings and have never loved them.  I think I have found my "go to" Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.  I loved this!  It was light and wasn't too cheesy or too sweet.  It was just right and went with this cake beautifully!

You can find this cupcake on page 44 and the frosting recipe on page 303 of Martha Stewart's Cupcakes recipe book.  I honestly don't think I've ever picked up and flipped through a recipe book so much.  I'm seriously in love with this thing.  You really need to check it out.  Just curious, is there a must have cookbook in your life?  I would love to know.

The batter was nice and thick and smelled soooo good!

I used these pretty scalloped cupcake wrappers.  I think one could go crazy just in the wrapper department.

My Ratings

First Impression- 5 stars

Cake- 4.5 stars

Frosting- 5 stars

Aaron's Rating- 4.5 stars

Next Day- 4 stars
 

Stay tuned!  This week is my little B's 6th birthday!  We are combining his birthday party with my nieces.  I'll be making the cupcakes!  Also, there is a bonus challenge for the club due Sept. 30th!