Oatmeal Butter Pecan Cupcakes

In our little apartment we have two skylights. I absolutely love skylights. Someday I'd like them in my kitchen. But that's definitely a dream for some day in the distant future. In the meantime though, I'll be satisfied with the two little ones we have in our studio. And at the moment, I'm immensely enjoying the sound of a light, persistent rain hitting those windows. I love that sound.  But rather than go on about my love for rainy days, I have some exciting news to share...

We're buying a house!! I am so excited I can hardly stand it! It's our first home so of course we are pretty dang stoked about the whole thing. And you know what I'm really excited for? A bedroom door! I know sounds strange, but you must understand... we have been living in a studio apartment for the past year and a half and it has been the most amazing blessing to be able to save up money and bond together in this little matchbox ;) but I'm going to be absolutely tickled to not see my kitchen sink from my bed.  And actually have a kitchen. With more than three cupboards and 21 inches of countertop space. And no carpet! Yes, our "kitchen" is carpeted. Do you know what it's like operating a kitchen under the stress of trying not to let any little thing drip on the floor because you'll be stuck with the ominous task of scrubbing it out for hours?? Let me tell you, a real kitchen is going to be Ah-mazing. 

Of course, it needs a little updating. But that's part of what I'm so excited for. We get to personalize it and fix it up to our liking! I feel a bunch of home improvement projects coming on which doesn't scare me in the least. I grew up with that sort of thing since my father is a general contractor (the best one you'll ever find) and one of the many things he taught me was how to be handy with a screw driver. Yes, I know what a philips head is and I know what a pain it is when a bolt get's "stripped". I also know that primer is key and under no circumstances should you remove tile without heavy-duty gloves (a lesson I learned the hard way and have scars to prove it). 

We close and move in less than a month and I am counting down the hours til I have a bedroom door. And a garage. And a yard. And no carpet in my kitchen!!! 

And to celebrate that glorious announcement, I'd to share with you these absolutely scrumptious Oatmeal Butter Pecan Cupcakes I made this holiday weekend. They aren't exactly "festive" in the sense that they aren't red, white, or blue, and no little patriotic flags poking out of the frosting but, they're insanely delicious and what's more American than a mouthwatering cupcake? See? Totally festive. 

I had beautiful plans for a buttercream frosting but fate wasn't on my side and it was a bit of a flop so I rushed to the store and bought a can of Duncan Hines new whipped cream cheese frosting. I'm actually really glad my frosting didn't pan out the way I thought it would because if it had I might never have found this new creation! The frosting was light and airy, not too sweet which is usually a huge problem for me with store bought frostings. This one went perfectly with my cupcakes and I will definitely be using it many more times in my baking adventures. 

These cupcakes turned out better than I had imagined in my head. The aroma alone was enough to make my mouth water. And just look at them. So moist and beautiful. Ah. Go make some. Please. You will be glad you did. Happy Memorial Day!

PS. I just love zebra print anything. I can't get enough. 

If you wish, you may opt to garnish the tops of these beautiful cupcakes with chopped pecans!