It’s 1 a.m., and you’re still reading over those same two sentences in that Quantitative Chemical Analysis book. (What kind of professor assigns 60 pages of reading, anyway?) You’ve got another 59 to go. Grab one of these chai tea latte cupcakes for a boost. You’ll need: 1 box French vanilla cake mix water, vegetable oil and eggs (amounts vary based on individual mixes) 3 tbsp. chai powder mix One container vanilla frosting 1 cup white chocolate chips ground cinnamon Step 1 – mix ingredients according to box directions, combining the chai tea mix with batter Step 2 – bake according to box directions Step 3 – let cupcakes cool Step 4 – microwave white chocolate chips for about one minute and stir Step 5 – blend melted chocolate with frosting Step 6 – spread generous amount on cupcakes Step 7 – garnish with cinnamon Step 8 – get back to reading weets That cutie you’ve had your eye on is finally coming to your apartment. You have to make something sweet to encourage a second visit. Fill your place with the smell of warm chocolate and sugar with these super sexy red velvet cupcakes. You’ll need: 1 box red velvet cake mix water, vegetable oil and eggs (amounts vary based on individual mixes) 1 container cream cheese frosting red food die (for decoration) Step 1 – mix and bake cupcakes according to box directions Step 2 – let cupcakes cool Step 3 – spread generous amount of cream cheese frosting on cupcakes Step 4 – place small dot of dye on cupcake and swirl with knife Step 5 – hope for the best Red velvet You’ll need: 1 box double chocolate cake mix 1 package cookie dough water, vegetable oil and eggs (amounts vary based on individual mixes) 1 container French vanilla frosting Step 1 – roll cookie dough into balls and freeze for two hours Step 2 – mix cake ingredients according to box directions Step 3 – pour batter into cupcake pan Step 4 – place frozen cookie dough balls on top of each cupcake Step 5 – bake according to box directions Step 6 – let cupcakes cool Step 7 – spread frosting (take it easy – these are rich) Step 8 – Facebook stalk every person who’s ever written on your ex’s wall It’s time to meet your special someone’s parents. Bring some flowers for mom and a firm handshake for dad. Grant yourself some extra brownie, uh, cupcake points with these from-scratch banana bread cupcakes. EXTRA ! Features editor: Nicole Aikens • [email protected] ituational You’ll need: 1 box devil’s food cake mix water, vegetable oil and eggs (amounts vary based on individual mixes) 1 container whipped white frosting 1 package Oreo cookies Step 1 – mix cake ingredients according to box directions Step 2 – place one Oreo at the bottom of the cupcake wrapper Step 3 – pour batter over cookies and bake according to box directions Step 4 – let cupcakes cool Step 5 – spread frosting on cupcakes Step 6 – garnish with crumbled Oreos Step 7 – update your resume You’ll need: 1 box devil’s food cake mix water, vegetable oil and eggs (amounts vary based on individual mixes) 1 container vanilla frosting 1 cup white chocolate chips Step 1 – mix and bake cake according to box directions Step 2 – let cupcakes cool Step 3 – microwave white chocolate chips for one minute Step 4 – blend melted chocolate with frosting Step 5 – spread over cupcakes Step 6 – GTL Your boss just handed you the pink slip. Don’t make a scene on your way out. Make something sweet to ease the pain of unemployment. Try these cookies and cream cupcakes. (Still dreaming of slashing your superior’s tires? Just think: These cupcakes have Oreos baked into them.) Your professor calls you into his office. He lovingly tells you that you failed the midterm. Those three episodes of “Jersey Shore” and eight minutes of studying evidently have not paid off. Go home. Eat chocolate. Make these double chocolate cupcakes with white truffle frosting. Cookies n’ Cream Cookie dough Banana bread Chai Tea Latte White truffle chocolate You thought everything was going great, but your beau apparently didn’t. He or she just gave you the boot. Don’t wallow alone. Wallow with these cookie dough cupcakes. (Was it a long-term relationship? Buy some extra cookie dough for a mid-baking snack.) You’ll need: Cake: 4 large egg whites 1 cup milk 2 tsp. vanilla 3 cups cake flour 1 ½ cups sugar 1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt 1 ½ sticks butter, softened 3-4 mashed ripe bananas 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup finely chopped walnuts banana chips for garnish Frosting: 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 2 tbsp. butter 1 tsp. vanilla Step 1 – preheat oven to 350° F Step 2 – in medium bowl, combine egg whites, vanilla and ¼ cup milk Step 3 – in a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt Step 4 – add the butter and remaining milk to large bowl Step 5 – stir until combined Step 6 – add the egg, vanilla and milk mixture to the large bowl; beat until combined Step 7 – stir in walnuts, cinnamon and banana Step 8 – pour into cupcake pan Step 9 – bake 22 to 24 minutes Step 10 – let cupcakes cool Step 11 – beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth in medium a bowl Step 12 – gradually add the confectioners sugar until smooth Step 13 – spread generously on cupcakes Step 14 – garnish with banana chips Step 15 – reap the benefits Cupcakes are customizable. These individual treats can put a smile on your face even in the worst of circumstances. In a bind? Try baking one of these simple and delicious recipes. Chances are the smell of melting chocolate and creamy frosting will make you forget you even had a problem. Bad day? There’s a cupcake for that. Taylor Rogers is the managing editor and cupcake connoisseur for visuals for the Daily Kent Stater. @JasonReeves “Tom Petty with the windows down on the first day you can really feel the fall.” KENTWIRED.COM Go online to see this weekend’s best events. Story by Taylor Rogers [email protected] Photos by Meghan Galehouse [email protected] FIRST DATE CUPCAKE UNEMPLOYED CUPCAKE GOT DUMPED CUPCAKE IMPRESS THE IN-LAWS “F” ON YOUR PAPER CUPCAKE LATE NIGHT CUPCAKE