I did a little baking tonight and as I sat down to enjoy a taste of the little treats I made for some friends, I literally said out loud to myself, “I seriously have no idea why I am still single when I can do stuff like this…”

They always say that food is the way to a man’s heart and I’ve generally been a believer of this…to an extent. I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been the recipient of quite a few professions of undying love made by men upon tasting some fine confection, savory treat or any other generally fabulous culinary creation I have concocted. But after the last crumbs are gathered and the final remnants have been completely savored I find that I am no less single than before.

Ah well, there will come a day when a man doesn’t walk away when the plate is clean and then I just may have found my love!

Until then, shall we celebrate the fruits of my labor?  Sorry, I realize this is a form of cruel and unusual punishment since I have the cupcakes and you just have pictures.  However, do not fret, I am not entirely without compassion for I will leave you with the means to create such fabulousness in your own kitchen!

I got this recipe from The Pioneer Woman, who basically is living the life I [not so] secretly long for: ranching, cooking, photography…sigh! This recipe for carrot cake is A.MAZ.ING. Among other wonders, The Pioneer Woman is a fantastic resource for hearty down-home recipes that taste just the way you want them to! Sigrid’s Carrot Cake is ridiculously moist yet quite light in texture and the icing is just the perfect balance of salty cream cheese and sugary sweetness…mmmmMMMMMmmmm!

aahahahaha...if only that were the case!

I used walnuts but pecans work well too. (I put nuts in half the batter and left the other half nut-free for those with allergies). Pioneer Woman puts them in the icing; I'll have to try that next time

Oh the delicious marriage of vanilla and cream cheese!

I used walnut halves as part of the decoration to distinguish the two varieties...and I added some cute Eastery colored star icing "kisses"

Washed down with a tall glass of cold milk; aaahhhhh!