Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frosting

Every year on my birthday, I make my own birthday cake. I honestly enjoy it. It's the one time a year I pull out the fondant and attempt to get creative with my decorating. The only thing is that I spend all year making everyone else's birthday cakes or cupcakes as well. So one of these years, I hope I'll be able to not spend the night making cake in the kitchen but still get to enjoy some cake made by a loved one on my birthday.
A girl can dream.
These cupcakes were made in a hurry one morning when my mom remembered a co-worker's birthday was that day and asked me to whip something up. I've had this recipe bookmarked for a while and decided to give it a try. They were definitely a hit!
Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
Adapted from How Sweet It Is
Makes 12-16 cupcakes

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 egg whites
• 1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 2/3 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg whites and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt, alternating with the milk. Lastly, mix in the chocolate chips.

Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of cupcakes comes out clean. Cool, frost, and enjoy!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frosting
Adapted from How Sweet It Is

• 15 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
• 2/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Beat butter. Slowly add powdered sugar. Mix in vanilla followed by the condensed milk. Once well mixed, add chocolate chips.
Frost cupcakes and enjoy!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here in Arizona, fall arrives around the end of October. I'm currently living in Phoenix so I can pretty much throw the possibility of fall arriving soon out the window. Every single day the high is somewhere around 110+ degrees. All I really want is to eat/drink pumpkin flavored things and wear tights, cardigans, and boots without risking a heat stroke. Unfortunately, I cannot do the latter but I can go home and bake pumpkin things to my hearts content.
This weekend I went home and bought two cans of canned pumpkin and went away to my lovely kitchen. My first pumpkin treat for the weekend was the classic and ever so delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookie.
These are perfectly spiced, cakey, and bring you right to fall even if the weather won't cooperate.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from My Baking Addiction

• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 egg whites
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/3 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix pumpkin, sugars, oil, egg whites, and vanilla.

Once combined, add dry ingredients and mix until dough forms. Add chocolate chips. Chill dough for 15-20 minutes.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a grease baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for about 10 minutes or until set.
Cool and enjoy!