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I love love love to cook. But eh baking isn't my strong suit, so I was over the moon when these cupcakes turned out perfect and my sister couldn't get enough of them! They were great for a light desert after filling our selves on tacos and chips, and even better the next morning with coffee.  I found these yummy cup cakes on The Novice chef and became a huge fan of her site. Below is the recipe taken from her site.  I cut out a key note that you definitely need to only fill the cupcake pans about half full so the cakes will be flat on top.

ingredients:

For the cupcakes

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 (1 stick) cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk



For the frosting

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon


directions:To make the cupcakes:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners; set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, or the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, until just combined then stir in the vanilla and oil. Sprinkle 1/3 of the flour mixture over the butter mixture and gently stir in until barely combined. Add half of the milk, mixing until just combined. Repeat these steps with the remaining flour mixture and milk, ending with the flour. Do not over mix.

Fill each cupcake tin with 2 tablespoons of batter, or until the cupcake tin is filled half way. Bake the cupcakes for 14 to 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with one or two crumbs clinging to it. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting:

Cream the butter and cream cheese together in a large bowl. Add the sugar, one cup at a time, beating well between each addition. Stir in the cinnamon until thoroughly combined. Then stir in the vanilla. Beat the mixture well, until light and fluffy.

Pipe onto cupcakes, sprinkle with a little cinnamon sugar and top with a drizzle of Dulce De Leche if desired.

I found the FREE cactus cut outs  for the cupcakes HERE.  I also found the easiest margarita punch ever HERE . Everyone was raving about the punch! I am so thrilled I made an extra batch to throw in my freezer for a later date! We set up a photo booth inside using what we already had and some very cheap mustaches from Party City. I bought some fake spanish looking flowers and a headband from the dollar store and made a flower crown prop. We also threw in some of the gold maracas for the photo booth. Tea lights  from the dollar store and a couple of Party city banners put the finishing touches on the fiesta! To the left is a picture of the Groom twining with the mannequin/ photo booth prop we set up. (It's always good to let friends or guest to bring a little if they ask to help. Both of these tops and hats came from guest who didn't mind sharing for the evening). Below are some party photos. Including Myself, my boyfriend ( I like to call my D*I*Y assistant) , my sister the bride and her groom! I am wearing a fun little dress that only cost around $20.00 from Tobi, and my sister wore a dress from one of our favorite sites Rent the Runway.