Did you see Melissa d’Arabian on The Today Show last week where she made this chicken with lactose-free mushroom sauce recipe? It looked really good, and she’s all fancy in the kitchen, so it had to be good, right?
It got me thinkin’.
Since my tummy gets furious with me when I eat certain dairy products, Lactaid has become a very dear friend. Lord help my intestines if I have high fiber anything without it. Or ice cream. Or frozen pizza. Helllllppppp.
So why couldn’t I sub out Lactaid when I’m cooking or baking and do my tum-tum a favor? And so I gave it a go, with cupcakes of all things.
Sweet and fiery cinnamon Firecracker Cupcakes… sans lactose. (Those of you lucky ducks without dairy digestion issues, feel free to use milk. The rest of us are playing it safe with Lactaid.)
Firecracker Cupcakes
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup margarine or butter spread
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup small or chopped up hot chewy cinnamon candies
1 cup milk (I used Lactaid)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin tins with cooking spray or use paper liners. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
2. Combine the milk (or Lactaid) and vanilla. Set aside.
3. Using a mixer, cream the butter, margarine, and sugar together. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then alternate adding the milk and vanilla and the flour mixture, a little at a time. Mix just until combined; try not to overmix.
4. Stir in candies. Spoon into prepared muffin tins.
5. Bake for 20- 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool. Decorate as desired.
Makes about 2 dozen cupcakes.
This post is part of a sponsored campaign through The Motherhood. All opinions are honest and my own.
stefanie says
My mother used to give me Lactaid when I was young. I couldn’t tell the difference.
Sheri says
They look fantastic, and they’re great pictures too.
Jenn says
Hubs has seen vast improvements in his digestive health since he went dairy-free. He likes to cheat on occasion though (nobody’s a saint!). I’m going to get some Lactaid and see if that will help him cheat a little more safely.
Jai says
I caught this post too late to try it on the 4th but I’m bookmarking it for next year.
Gena says
YUMMY!!!! These look so good!
Emmy says
Those are such cute cupcakes!!
Marcie W. says
What a unique idea for a cupcake! I bet the kids would really enjoy these.
Toni says
These look so good. They will be perfect for holidays that are celebrating our country and the men/women who serve it.
Lily Kwan says
This recipe looks very tasty. Thanks for sharing!
debra p says
Your cupcakes are beautiful – one of my favorite treats and the cayenne and cinnamon sound like a great combo. Fiery!
Krystle(Baking Beauty) says
These sound amazing. My guys would love the spicy twist
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
I never would have thought to do this! These are adorable and look delicious!
April Golightly says
These look awesome!
Anne says
Cayenne pepper in cupcakes, sounds fun
Renee says
Hubby loves cinnamon candy, so I will have to give these a try. So creative!
Jennifer says
Those look amazing!
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
Very festive. They look delicious.
Katie says
oh wow, I bet those have a great kick between the cayenne pepper and cinnamon red hots!
Krystyn says
Oh, these sound tasty. I’ve never tried Lactaid. I can’t do milk, but since I don’t like it, I usually just avoid it all together.
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
These look really good but I’d have to leave out the cayenne though!
Night owl mama says
MMMM girl now those look too good not to eat Yummy
Christy Anderson says
These cupcakes look good! I’ll have to give this recipe a try.
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
Those are adorable cupcakes to make! I wish I made these for July 4th!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
Can you taste the Cayenne? I love cinnamon but I’m interested as to how hot these are. Sorry about the dairy issues, I would die if I couldn’t have dairy, lol.
Serendipity is Sweet says
What a great idea! Those look yummy!
Hope you had a wonderful 4th 🙂
bmanousou@gmail.com says
my mouth’s watering, those look scrumptious!
gorgeous photos of the cupcakes.
xx
Mumseword says
This is a really cool idea.
CiCi says
Dang, cayenne pepper in cupcakes??? Wow. Sounds great.
My Inner Chick says
yummy.
unique and deLISH! Xx
Elizabeth A. says
Those sound great! I really should give cooking with Lactaid a try. My husband is lactose intolerant, and it seems to get worse every year. I’m sure using Lacatid milk would really help him.
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says
I love cupcakes – these look so fun!!
Jennifer The Quirky Momma says
I love this recipe! Anything with a little heat is my food BFF. I can’t wait to make this.
Leilani says
I usually bake with almond milk or soy milk since my husband and I both have trouble with dairy.
Sarah @ Play 2 Learn with Sarah says
I never would have thought to put those candies in a cupcake…but I bet my kids would try it! Very cool!
Penelope (NYC Blogger) says
Those are so festive! Did you have a great holiday?
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
These look super yum and I adore the name!
Sheri says
They look fantastic! I bet they were delicious too.
Diane N - Philzendia says
I love how those came out. They look so yummy. I feel some baking coming on!
justin orkin says
didn’t see it but I’ll make it.
Kiersten @ OMV says
Ooh, spicy cupcakes–I love it! Sweet and spicy is one of my favorite combinations.
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
Perfect for my lactose-sensitive boy!
Stefanie says
Those look yummy!
Jenny @ MyLittleMe says
Those look so festive!
Stephanie SassyModernMom says
I never would have dreamt this one up! Now I feel the need to bake!
Nichol says
MMM these sound delish. Cinnamon candies are my fav!
LyndaS says
Wow! They look fabulous. I see how they derived their name. Never heard of cayenne in a cupcake before.
HilLesha says
I can hardly resist a cupcake and this looks really good! I can do without the cherries, though. 🙂
Elizabeth Towns says
So, how did they taste? I’m all for substitutions – my son has the gluten free issue, and truthfully dairy products are not my best fans either. I’m just wondering how the taste was – lactose free milk AND cayenne. WOW. I actually used cinnamon today in my sloppy joe recipe for the first time. It was superb! I’m hoping your’s tasted as great as they look!
Elizabeth T, Early Rise
Sue says
Happy 4th! looks like a great cupcake to celebrate summer with. I think my husband and I could go with the lactose free too 🙂
Kathleen says
Oh wow, never would have thought of using cayenne pepper. Really must give it some kick!
Hilary says
Looks yummy. We’re the only species that consistently drinks milk after infancy.. and that of another mammal, to boot. It’s no wonder so many of us are intolerant of it.
Secret Agent Woman says
I don’t have dairy issues, but it makes sense to me that you could use that lastise-free milk instead.
Kelly Amos says
I was very skeptical the first time I used cayenne pepper in a sweet recipe. It just sounded like such an odd combination. I was pleasantly surprised at how much it actually enhanced the flavor. I’ll bet it is no different with this recipe and cannot wait to try it! 🙂
Becca @ Mama B says
OH MY GAH!! These look soo good!
Caryn B says
Those look so so delicious! I actually can’t tolerate dairy so I like that these are maid with Lactaid…I don’t always think to use it anymore b/c my son has a dairy allergy and we mostly drink Almond milk…I wish it were offered in restaurants and coffee shops like Starbucks….
Emilie says
Love the bright, patriotic colors!
bmanousou@gmail.com says
hapy 4th of july!
xoxo
Pamela R says
They look really good–I’m not sure the cayenne pepper would fly in our house I live with a bunch of babies when it comes to spicy food…but we might give them a whirl =D
erin t. says
Pretty! Love the addition of the cinnamon candies for some kick!
Stefani says
I LOVE your cupcakes! I made some for the 4th, but I just made my cupcakes red and then decorated them with red/white/blue.
Shell Feis says
Those sound crazy good! I use Lactaid for everything.
Lolo says
Those are so fun! I bet they taste awesome with the cayenne pepper and cinnamon bites!
Mimi says
So awesome! I think my daughter and I can make these tomorrow while she’s here. She doesn’t do well with milk any more so I bet she would love these!
Dee @ Cocktails with Mom says
I’ve never tried Lactaid milk before but those look so amazing I would probably not be able to tell the difference.
Danielle @ We Have It All says
Awesome recipe! I bet they taste amazing with the cinnamon and pepper sauce! I’m totally pinning so I don’t loose this one.
Hilary says
Never thought of putting cayenne pepper in a cupcake…sounds amazing!
Lisa says
These look awesome.
noelle d says
i want to come to your house 🙂
you are always fixing the most tasty of looking foods…
that looks so yummy
Pam says
Those cupcakes look delicious! And how much better is it when you can eat them with tummy troubles?
Brett says
Ohhhh. Red hots in a cuppy. Nice. Yum. I hate the dairy gurgles
Diane Sallans says
that’s certainly a different cupcake with the cayenne – what a surprise kick that would be
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
I wish I seen this earlier. I would have made these for our fourth picnic!
Ronni Keller says
Aside from being super cute I’m a fan of the cinnamon AND the Lactaid!! Totally trying these!
Terry (My Journey With Candida) says
My Daughter only drinks Lactaid milk. Ohhhhhh that cayenne sure will light your tongue up. I should make these for my Hubs and not let him know there is cayenne in them. He’s Italian, so he might not notice.
Naomi says
Cute!
Jenn- The Rebel Chick says
I love that you put cayenne into your cupcakes!
Tammy says
Our daughter has issues digesting some dairy – I generally buy her almond milk, I never thought about Lactaid, I’m curious about it now.
Donna says
What a great dessert for July 4th! I know my hubby would really like these.
Hanan says
Those look delicious! I’ll take a dozen, please 😉
maria @ close to home says
what fun cupcakes for the 4th. We are not lactose intolerant but sure we can sub. milk
thanks for the inspiration
Beeb says
Those look so delicious and festive. 🙂
Ally says
I’ve never thought of cinnamon cupcakes, but these sound good!
Katherine says
Very cool!!
Colette S @JamericanSpice says
I would love to taste these!
Off I go to get something with cracker in it!
HilLesha says
Yummy! 🙂
Maryann says
those are cute. I wonder if they would be just as good without the candies, we are artificial color free.
Kelly R says
Wow, we love cupcakes. I just showed this to my daughter and now she wants to bake these..lol..
Daisy says
What a cool idea. My little guy is home from preschool tomorrow so this would be a fun project for us to do together.
Robin {Mom Foodie} says
My wacky kid might just like these.
laurie nykaza says
My kids love hot chewy cinnamon candies so I know these would be a big hit any time for them and they love baking so this is one fun project for them to do!
Mellisa says
I love the fact that you used a cinnamon candy in this mix! Sounds amazing.
Colleen says
Perfect holiday dessert, my kiddos love some cupcakes.
OurFamilyWorld says
These are adorable and they sound so delicious! Happy 4th!!
Susie B. Homemaker says
I used to love those little hot cinnamon candies. These would be fun to try. 🙂
Susan says
this looks so good, and easy to make I would love to make them this weekend.
Mel @ Outnumbered 3 to 1 says
Those look amazing!
Mitch says
You are killing me! I just started a diet and these look delicious!
Mitch
Theresa says
I have dairy issues too! I’ve never tried Lactaid, but certainly will give it a go. Your cupcakes are so cute and festive!
Brandy Myers says
These sound delicious and the twist of cayenne pepper would give them a little bit of a twist. I will have to give them a try with an unusual cupcake ingredient.
Cathi says
Why … I think we’re related! Too bad I don’t always listen to my tummy hence the consequences! These cupcakes are going on my bucket list, now! 😉
Sabrina Radke says
Oh these look delicious! We love cupcakes, definitely going to try these for the holiday with our Lactaid!
Angela@AboutAMom says
Now these are just too cute! Pinned to one of my favorite boards.
DEBRA ELLIOTT says
These are so cute and so yummy in your tummy good!
Betty Manousos says
good idea!
they sound so delish!
have a great remainder of your week.
xx
Lisa @ Two Bears Farm says
Yum! These look great. 🙂 I’m always a little better off without dairy, but I do have a hard time staying away from it.
Jessica @FoundtheMarbles says
I sure hope you saved me one of those, because OMG!
Rosey says
What a great twist on a cupcake!! I love that it’s got heat.
MizFitCarla says
(((adds cayenne pepper to grocery list)))
brian miller says
mmm i like the flavors in this…dont have a problem with lactos but have a friend who does….will have to pass this on…
Mally says
They sound yummy! Good idea!
Patty says
They look so pretty! Sorry you have problems – want a goat?
Jennifer says
wow those are really burst in your mouth cupcakes aren’t there. with the cayenne and the red hot candies. I think my husband would love these
Ms. A says
Excellent idea with the Lactaid!
Alissa Apel says
Yummy! I like that they have a little kick to them.