Lazy Baking...

Just because you don't have time to bake something from scratch doesn't mean you have to show up with basic chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. Pillsbury & Betty Crocker make less traditional cake mixes that take just a few minutes to make but are a little less expected. When I make these people always think I made them from scratch.

I used to bake cupcakes for work. We used them for marketing purposes and would bring them to our clients. I also made them for our bi weekly potlucks so everyone in the office could enjoy some too. Considering I had to be at work at 8 a.m. quick recipes were helpful to have on hand.

Pick up Pilsbury's Strawberry mix or Betty Crocker's Carrot Cake mix. Top either with Cream Cheese icing (recipes for home made below). Both brands make their own cream cheese frostings. OR make delicious Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes by frosting with chocolate icing.

Add a special touch by garnishing the strawberry dessert with real strawberry slices. Just cut off the stem and cut strawberries in half and place them on top of frosted cupcakes.

To add a special touch to Carrot Cake cupcakes mix in fresh nuts or carrot shavings.

With just a little extra effort your box-mix cupcakes, or cake, will look and taste like they are from scratch and people won't know you used a box mix.