Weight Diva - the New Me: Christmas Cupcakes

So the holidays are over, that's not a reason not to make cupcakes is it? I had some Christmas frosting left over so my feeling is let's use it up. These cupcakes are simple to make, simply delicious and only 3 points!

Yellow Cupcake Recipe (2 Weight Watchers Points):

1 1/3 cup(s) all-purpose flour

1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup(s) unsalted soft butter

3/4 cup(s) sugar

1 large egg(s)

3/4 tsp vanilla extract

2/3 cup(s) fat-free skim milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl combine the flour, salt and baking powder and set aside. In a large bowl beat the butter for a minute with a mixer. Add
the sugar and vanilla and beat until creamy. Add the egg and mix well. Add the flour mixture a little at a time and combine with the milk, mix thoroughly.

Put cupcake holders in muffin pan and fill 1/2 way with batter. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until done. Makes 24 cupcakes.

Butter Cream Frosting (1 WW point):

3 Tbsp unsalted softened butter

2 1/2 cup(s) powdered sugar

1/8 cup(s) fat-free skim milk

1 3/4 tsp vanilla extract

For chocolate frosting add 2/3 cup of dry baking Cocoa

In a small bowl beat the butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 the powdered sugar and mix well. Mix in the milk and vanilla. Add in remaining milk and mix well. Depending on the consistency you want you may have to add more milk. Frosts 35 to 40 cupcakes.

Tips:

I used two different types of frosting with the cupcakes I made. The white ones I wanted more of a glazed effect so I added more milk to the batter. This way I could easily decorate the tops of them. For the chocolate cupcakes I wanted a thicker creamier frosting so I did not add additional milk to the batter when I put in the cocoa.

HAPPY NEW YEAR:

So there are big changes in my life this year. I have accepted a position as a professor of early childhood education at a local college, I just purchased a brand new car (this is the first brand new car I've purchased on my own) and I attended my first New Year's Eve party that wasn't not a relative's house. It's a brave new world for me this year.

So here's a picture of my new 2013 Subaru Forester in a Deep Cherry Pearl color.

New Year's Eve night leaving the hair salon. Thanks to Roseann and Tracey at Salon Atelier for making me look and feel great http://www.salonatelier.com/. Love you guys.