It’s Friday. . so I wanted to share cupcakes!
During our last trip to Los Angeles, my brother, Jimmy, and I took the kids and explored Manhattan Beach, our old hood. When my brother and I first moved out to Los Angeles together back in October 2001, we got a place in Manhattan Beach. Walking distance to the beach. It was awesome. So beautiful. It was my brother’s dream to live close to the beach and yes, you guessed it: learn how to surf.
Well, he did both.
I, on the other hand, would go running. I developed my love for running when I was living in San Francisco (circa 1999-2001). I lived in the Marina and would run from my place, across the Golden Gate Bridge and back. I loved it. Man, back then, I could run 8 miles like it was nothing. Now, I’m lucky if I can run a mile without stopping.
So, Jimmy and I are back in Manhattan Beach. We actually were headed to West Hollywood so I could visit some friends at the best 
This place was fabulous. Not only did they have cupcakes and ice cream, but they also had frozen bananas, homemade cookies, ice cream sandwiches, French macarons, chocolate dipped treats, candy apples, cotton candy and CANDY. Candy was everywhere. I’m talking those huge swirly lollipops (that I’m convinced no kid on earth could ever finish), gummy candy, jelly beans, M&M’s and the list goes on.
The kids were totally excited and wanted everything. We tried to convince them to only get ice cream and managed to leave only purchasing 4 ice cream cones, one bag of gum drops (which I didn’t even let them have that day) and some cotton candy. This was seriously the ultimate candy shop. The ultimate sweet shop. My head is still spinning with everything they had there. It was great.
That experience inspired these cupcakes today. These are obviously not over-the-top like that shop was (in a good way) but decorated with just a hint of candy and sprinkles. I’ll be honest, I was thinking of going crazy and bedazzling these cupcakes with candy galore . . but then I came to my senses. The best part of these cupcakes are the inside: funfetti. Nothing new at all. But these are my kids’ fave so this is a cupcake mix I make all the time now.
I hope you enjoy! And get out to Manhattan Beach, CA!
Candy Shop Cupcakes
Ingredients
FOR THE CUPCAKES:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- ¼ cup Sprinkles any kind
FOR THE FROSTING:
- 2⅓ cups confectioners’ sugar sifted
- 6½ tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
FOR THE DECORATIONS/TOPPINGS:
- gummy candy of any kind
- pink sugar crystals or sprinkles
Instructions
FOR THE CAKE:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line your cupcake tin with cupcakes holders and set aside.
- Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the softened butter and vanilla, mix until the batter resembles course sand. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well with each new addition. Add the milk, and mix well. Lastly, pour in the sprinkles and mix by hand, gently.
- Spoon the cake batter into the cupcake liners (filling about ½ way each) and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely, and then frost.
FOR THE FROSTING:
- Beat the confectioners’ sugar, butter, and cocoa powder together in your mixer on medium-slow speed until the mixture comes together. Turn the mixer down to a slower speed, and add in the milk, a couple of teaspoons at a time.
- Once all the milk has been incorporated, turn the mixer up to high speed and continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy (for about 5 minutes).
- Frost your cooled cupcakes when ready to serve.
FOR THE DECORATIONS:
- Place gummy candy on top and sprinkle on the sugar crystals or sprinkles. Just have fun and enjoy!
Recipe adapted from 
Yes please. These are so fabulous. Love everything about them!
And yes I photograph EVERYTHING. Can’t eat without a photo first. I’m starting to think there should be a support group for us foodies. 😉
Hi Nicole. . I know! Love it. . a support group. . I see it more and more when I go out. . and at home, they already know the routine. . I am scarring my children. 😛 taking photos of all my food. .
Wow we’re practically neighbors, I’m in Long Beach 🙂 Great cupcakes!
Hi Gerry!
Thank you!! I no longer live in Los Angeles. . now I’m in Seattle. . but I used to live in LA, for over 11 years. . and a couple years were in Manhattan Beach. . you need to get out to MB Post and the MB Creamery!! 🙂
LOVE these cupcakes! I hope I to get the chance to go to Manhattan Beach to visit the creamery *and* MB Post! I don’t travel around much, even short distances, so maybe I need to live a little and just do it?
I hear ya about the running. I’m working on getting back into it, but I would love to have a beautiful scenic view to run by. For now, I’ll have to settle for the track at the gym. 🙂 I hope you have a fantastic Friday!
Hi Dionne,
if you live remotely close to that area or in LA, you absolutely need to get to those places stat!! MB Post was amazing. . can’t say enough about this place.
And yes, re: running, I totally hear you! I run on my treadmill now, in front of the TV . . so sad but at least I get my running in! 🙂 Happy weekend to you and thank you for the comment!
Funfetti cupcakes with gummy drops, no kid would resist them! And a candy store. I can imagine what a great day the kids had! And so nice you hung out with your brother. I used to run too, but not anymore. Now it´s pilates and walking. When I go. Which is not as often as I should… Happy weekend my friend!
Your recipes are wonderful. I would love for you to share them with us at foodieportal.com. Foodieportal.com is a new food sharing site, we’re no photography snobs, we’re just foodies and we actually try hard to promote your pictures. At foodieportal.com all your food pictures will get accepted so I really hope you come and join us.
pretty!!
I have a problem too but I think I’ve been able to rein it in. Plus, I don’t go out to eat that often so don’t have as many opportunities to photograph amazing food. Did you see the video (“Look at this instagram” from College Humour) I posted on my personal and blog Facebook page a week or two ago? I laughed my ass off so hard when I first saw it. I think I’ll link it up in a blog post soon – it’s just too funny (and really accurate). Anyways, back to the important stuff: your cupcakes! These are adorable, especially that fun blue liner. I love that you went simple with a delicious funfetti batter and chocolate icing. As much as I love chocolate, I can never say no to a vanilla cupcake topped with chocolate. I’m heading to San Francisco in a couple of weeks but I don’t think I’ll be jogging across the Golden Gate. I would never make it!
Marina and MB are beautiful places, though I don’t visit both places a lot. But, I’d imagine running across GGB would be fun and exciting. And that candy land place you mentioned is a must-visit. Now I need to get cupcakes and gum drops, yum!
Your food photos are amazing. You can share your mouth watering photos with us at foodienewz.com. foodienewz.com is a new food sharing site and we actually try our best to promote your food photos. At foodienewz.com all your food photos will be published without any editorial review so I really hope you come and join us.