Chocolate Chip Walnut Brownie Cupcakes

Today I have the most amazing recipe to share. It's Chocolate Chip Walnut Brownie Cupcakes.  You can find the recipe here courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis. I saw this on Food Network years ago (when I used to have time to watch t.v.) and I had to make them. You should to try them too - they are sooo good!!

In the recipe it calls for a Duncan Hines brownie mix. I always buy what's on sale, so for the brownie part I follow the directions on the box but add the nuts and mini chocolate chips.

If you don't want the nuts and chocolate chips to sink to the bottom, Giada recommends placing them in a bowl with a few tablespoons of the brownie mix powder and that really works.

Mix together your brownies as directed on box.<

Add in the nuts and chocolate chips.

Mix them in.

Pour into muffin tins. I always use paper liners and I always spray them with cooking spray.

Bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes. Mine always take longer.

Let cool and frost.  Giada's recipe calls for mascarpone cheese. I don't keep that on hand, but I usually have cream cheese so I just use my standard cream cheese frosting. 

Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. margarine, softened
2 t. milk
1 t. vanilla
4 c. powdered sugar

This recipe make a lot. I only use half for these cupcakes.  The other half I'll stick in a freezer bag and freeze for a later use, like for my carrot cake.

I like to sprinkle some of the mini chocolate chips on top.

These are to die for! I love the little crunch from the nuts.  Sooo yummy!