Our Favorite Birthday Cake Recipe

The cake recipe is from the cookbook, Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld.

The frosting is from Paula Deen and there's nothing deceptive about it -- it's purely delicious! The first time I used these recipes was for Conrad's smash cake when he turned one. I usually use it to make cupcakes and I've never written down the bake time, but it feels like forever before that toothpick comes out (almost) clean.

The cupcakes never disappoint.

1 (18 oz.) box yellow cake mix
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/4 cup water
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil (I use olive oil)
2 large eggs
1 large edge white
6 oz. nonfat lemon, banana, or vanilla yogurt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, pumpkin puree, water, oil, eggs, egg white, and yogurt. Beat until smooth, 1-2 minutes.

Pour the batter into the cupcake wraps, filling about 2/3 of the way full. For birthday parties, I use large cupcake wraps. Bake for about 40 minutes.