Praline Pecan Cup Cakes

Ingredients for praline

• 1 cup toasted pecans
• 1 cup brown sugar

Ingredients to make cake

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated white sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 large lemon (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly butter

or line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Cream the butter

and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time,

beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract

and lemon zest. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour,

baking powder, and salt.With the mixer on low speed,

alternately add the flour mixture and milk, in three additions,

beginning and ending with the flour. Evenly fill the muffin cups

with the batter and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until nicely

browned and a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean.

How to make Pecan Praline

Heat a sauce pan over medium heat and add the sugar. When it

begins to caramelize stir it with a spoon.When it is completely

caramelized add the pecans. Mix well until the pecans are

thoroughly coated with caramel. Pour this mixture on a

parchment paper and leave it to cool completely. Place this on a

chopping board and crush it into small pieces using heavy rolling pin.

Frost the cupcakes with whipping cream and sprinkle crushed

praline on top and enjoy the crunchy cup cake.