The Best Birthday Cupcakes

• 24 paper cupcake liners, for cupcake pans
• 1 (18 1/2 ounce) package plain butter recipe cake mix
• 1 (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• frosting, of your choice (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
3. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and blend on low speed with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Scrape sides of bowl; increase mixer speed to medium and beat for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes more. The batter should be smooth and thickened.
4. Fill each cup 2/3 full and place in oven.
5. Bake the cupcakes until they are golden and spring back when lightly pressed with your finger, about 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Remove pans from oven and cool on wire rack for 5 minutes before removing cups from pans. Cool completely before frosting.
7. Eat as is or frost as desired.

cupcake liners, butter, cream cheese, sugar, water, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, frosting

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/the-best-birthday-cupcakes-224633 (may not work)