Here are some great ideas for you from http://www.recipe4living.com/articles/12_cute_cupcake_recipes_for_you_and_the_kids.htm/?utm_source=dailyrecipes&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=Daily%2BRecipes

While a chocolate cake or ice cream cake may seem like the best way to celebrate your kid’s birthday, why not change things up with a whole bunch of delicious cupcakes? They’re big enough so that each kid will be full after one, and small enough that they won’t get a dreaded stomach ache after eating them. Your kids can even join in and help you bake a batch of these sweets too!

Brownie Candy Cupcakes – Kids AND adults will love these easy to make, delicious cupcakes!
Sprinkles Red Velvet Cupcakes – Sprinkles in by far our favorite bakery. We just can’t resist buying their tasty cupcakes by the dozen. Their red velvet cupcake is one of the absolute best cupcakes on the menu.
Lemon-Kissed Cupcakes – These light cakes have a touch of lemon on top – absolutely delicious!
Chocolate Cupcakes – Make completely from scratch, this is an easy batch to whip up for a school snack or whatever other reason.
Black Cat Cupcakes -These adorably cupcakes are easy to make and the kids can help with them too!
Pumpkin Cupcakes – The perfect autumn treat, these festive cupcakes have a delicious cream cheese frosting that makes them absolutely irresistible.
Banana Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Chunks – I made these for my birthday to bring to the office and they were a big hit! The ganache is a cinch to make and totally worth the tiny bit of extra time.
S’More Cupcakes – Don’t trust your little ones (or yourself) near an open flame? Whip up a batch of these cupcakes that taste just like the real thing… without catching on fire.
Warm Chocolate Cupcakes with Molten Centers – Baking these is one of the easiest and tastiest ways I know to make a great impression on your dinner guests. Most recipes, including my own, call for just a few ingredients — chocolate, butter, sugar, eggs, and a dash of flour. You combine them very quickly. And the cakes don’t take long to bake — barely more than 10 minutes.
Bursting Flower Cupcakes – Serve these sunny little cakes and watch the smiles bloom! They’re sweet delight with every bite.
Marshmallow Peeps Cupcakes – These festive cupcakes have coconut, Peeps and jelly beans for a sweet Easter treat.
Decadent Chocolate Cupcakes – Not your ordinary cake mix cupcakes, these treats are rich and melt in your mouth.

Just some great ideas for you and your family.

Tammye Honey

So today I am all about the Irish…Hey now my last name is Green lol…

This one is courtesy of another great site I love http://www.chow.com

Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes

Adapted from Dave Lieberman

I love cooking with beer, and that’s no exception when it comes to desserts. Of all beers, Guinness is the perfect one for desserts because of its distinct chocolate and coffee notes. Pairing it with actual chocolate is the obvious choice. These cupcakes are light in texture but heavy in the chocolate department. The white cream cheese icing reminds me of the creamy white head that Guinness is famous for.

This dish was featured as part of ourSt. Patty’s Day Recipes photo gallery.

TIME/SERVINGS
Total Time: 50 mins
Active Time: 25 mins
Makes: 24 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS
For the cupcakes:
Unsalted butter, melted, for coating the muffin pans (optional)
1 (11.2-ounce) bottle Guinness stout
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sour cream
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine salt

For the frosting:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
Pinch fine salt
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 pound powdered sugar
Natural unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

INSTRUCTIONS

For the cupcakes:

Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Place cupcake liners in two (12-well) muffin pans; alternatively, coat the wells with melted butter. Set the pans aside.
Whisk together the Guinness, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla in a large bowl until combined. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, until completely incorporated. Whisk in the sour cream.
Whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a second large bowl to aerate and combine. Gradually fold this mixture into the wet Guinness mixture. Divide the batter among the muffin wells.
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes. Set the pans on a wire rack and let the cupcakes cool completely before removing from the pans.

For the frosting:

Place the cream cheese and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, gradually beat in the heavy cream until smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. With the mixer on medium speed, gradually mix in the powdered sugar until completely incorporated and smooth, about 3 minutes.
Top each cupcake with a heap of frosting and dust with cocoa powder.

Happy Baking and preparing for your festivities… hope this helps

Tammye Honey