Happy Birthday Larry Carrot Cake

Today is my boyfriend's Dad's Birthday. He is having a cook out, where he is serving up smoked meats that he will be cooking up all day today. Larry is the King of the Grill, the Smoker, the Crockpot... When we dine at Larry's, we are always treated with a multi-course meal which is AWESOME! I always bring dessert! In honor of his Birthday I will bring Carrot Cake Cupcakes. Hopefully he will enjoy these Birthday Cupcakes Baked with LOVE with a little twist.

Chocolate Carrot Cake Cupcakes

One box Spice Cake Mix
One box Chocolate Pudding
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup finely shredded carrots
1/2 cup finely shredded coconut
1/2 cup plus 2 tsp finely chopped pecans optional
1/2 cup raisins optional

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. In your mixing bowl combine cake mix, pudding and hot water and mix. Add Oil and mix. Add egg one by one and mixing after each addition. Fold in the sour cream and mix. Add carrots and coconut. If you choose to add pecans and raisins, add those and mix until blended. Fill your cupcake holders 1/2 full and bake 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool. Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting.

Not Too Sweet, Not Too Cheesy Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8oz block Neufectel Cream Cheese (room temp)
1/3 cup butter (room temp)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

In your mixing bowl combine Cream Cheese and butter and mix until light and fluffy. Add Powdered sugar by the 1/2 cup and mix well after each addition until all p. sugar is used up. Add vanilla and whip more until fluffy. Spoon frosting into piping bag and frost each cooled cupcake. Top cup cakes with the extra finely chopped pecans.

Happy Birthday Larry!