Praline Cream Cheese Cupcakes

CUPCAKES
1¼ cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
⅛ teaspoon salt

PRALINE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
½ cup butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3½ cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¾ cup (about 6 whole) pecan pralines, chopped

CUPCAKES
Preheat oven to 325°F.

Add the butter and sugar to a large mixing bowl. Using a paddle attachment, cream together until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl often.

Add eggs one at a time, until fully mixed in, then add evaporated milk and vanilla. Continue mixing for one minute.

Whisk cake flour, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix till fully combined.

Line jumbo muffin tins with cupcake liners, then fill three-quarters of the way full with cupcake batter. Place in oven and bake for 25 to 27 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool completely while preparing the frosting.

PRALINE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
In a large mixing bowl, whip butter until light in color and fluffy. Add cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla, and mix for 3 to 5 minutes or until frosting is well combined, with no lumps. Fold in the chopped pralines.


Using an apple corer or small spoon, remove a small center section of cupcake. Fill with Praline Cream Cheese Frosting, then spread additional frosting over the top of the cupcake.