Christmas Snowball Cupcakes

Ingredients for cupcakes:

1-box Chocolate cake mix
3-ounces Cream cheese, cut into 24 cubes
½-cup Water
2-large Eggs
⅓-cup Vegetable oil
½-cup Sour cream
¼-cup Finely chopped pecans

Ingredients for frosting:

2-large Egg whites
7-ounces Marshmallow cream
½-cup Sugar
1-teaspoon Raspberry extract
2-cups Coconut, shredded
2-tablespoons Water
1-cup Colored sprinkles or red sugar

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Place 24 regular size muffin cups with paper cupcake cups. Beat cake mix, water, oil, sour cream and eggs with electric hand mixer in a large bowl on low speed for 30 to 45 seconds, scraping bowl. Beat on medium speed for another minute.

Spoon cake batter into paper cups. Place one cream cheese cube in the middle of each cupcake and press down into batter, the top of the cream cheese will be visible.

Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until done. Check by inserting a toothpick into the cake part in between the cream cheese and paper cup, the toothpick should come out clean. Take cupcakes out of pan to cool for about 30 minutes before frosting.

Mix sugar, water and egg whites in a 2-quart saucepan. Cook over low heat, continuously beating with electric mixer at high speed until soft peaks are formed, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Add marshmallow cream; beat until stiff peaks are formed. Remove saucepan and beat in Raspberry extract.

Spread frosting evenly over cupcakes; sprinkle each with a tablespoon of coconut and top with ½ teaspoon of sprinkles or red sugar over each cupcake. Serve right away or store in refrigerator.

Serves 24

You can find this recipe and much more at Cristie's Cookin. Be sure to submit your favorite recipe for a chance to win a free "Gotcha Covered" apron. Need a great gift? Check out Cristie's newly released novel "11.11.11" by TJ Stokes.

Cooking lessons for Cristie began at 8 years old with the best teacher in the world -- her Mom! Later, she cooked for the restaurant the family owned, and her love of the "trade" has grown ever since. Cristie's creative cooking has continued for over 40 years. Her creations can soon be on your kitchen table. Check out Cristie's books at http://www.cristiescookin.com and http://www.tjstokes.com

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