Double Pistachio Cupcakes

Okay.

I admit it.

This one is totally a cheat recipe.

Boxed cake and boxed pudding with packaged Dreamwhip.

Not exactly from scratch.

I KNOW.

We are allowed one once in a while. Trust  me, this turns out so cute and tasty people won't mind that it's from a box. That is...if you decide to tell them...

Double Pistachio Cupcakes

(From Memories By The Mile)

Ingredients

Cake

1 pkg white cake mix

1/2 cup oil

3 eggs

1 pkg pistachio pudding (small - 4 serving size)

1 cup water

few drops green food coloring - optional

Frosting

1 pkg Dreamwhip

1 pkg pistachio pudding (small - 4 serving size)

1 1/2 cup cold milk

few drops green food coloring - optional

Decorations

1 - 2 cup pistachios, chopped

24 pistachios, whole

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Line 24 muffin trays with paper liners, set aside.

Cake: Mix together ingredients until well combined. Spoon evenly into the 24 cupcake liners.

Bake at 350 for about 15 - 20 minutes, until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

Remove from oven. Let cool on wire racks.

When cool, prepare frosting.

Frosting: Whisk together pudding and Dreamwhip. Beat in milk using an electric mixer until thick and fluffy. Beat in a few drops of green food coloring if desired. (I didn't find it necessary)

How I decorated: I put a thin line of frosting around the outer ring of the cupcake.

Put the chopped pistachios in a shallow dish. Carefully roll the iced edge of the cupcakes in the nuts.

Pipe or spoon the remaining frosting on top of the cupcakes.

Place a single, whole pistachio on top.

As you can see, I didn't frost all the way to the sides of the cupcakes - instead I just did a little blob in the middle. (Okay, actually Sue had to pipe it. I can't pipe. *sigh*)

Doing it this way I was left with a little of the frosting.

Which I ate.

I can't help myself. I mean...it's pudding and whipped cream, people.

My point being, if you choose to frost the entire cupcake you will probably use up all the icing and not have any leftover to eat.

In case you do that sort of thing...

Anyway...

These are really cute for St. Patrick's Day.

Be sure to stop by Easy Life and Hun... What's For Dinner? for some great links to more food and crafty fun!