My Mom is enjoying the fruits of being a Lita (she still does not accept Grandma). She is watching my two sharp and sassy nieces while she is expecting news on her new additions any second. She is just beside herself! We all are. :)

So, let me, the non-baker, experiment for a minute. I have to say that I usually dismiss the quick and easy baking ideas and wait for my mom to make the real thing. She has a zillion good pumpkin recipes. I was delighted with how this turned out and I think she will be too. Not that she would ever fully endorse it, but she will forgive me for trying. I have seen use pumpkin and cake mix everywhere. The caramels were my idea.

I had an idea that she would make these cupcakes her authentic way. Then when I saw that wasn't going to happen I turned on my oven, dug out my baking stuff and got to work.

They weren't pretty out of the oven and I thought oops! Then I tasted them and they were AWESOME! Then I made Mom's buttercream frosting and added some flavor for the finale. All in all, it took me about 2 hours including cooling time and I never had to get out a measuring cup (whew).

Get the recipe here.

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