{Recipe} Black Cherry White Chocolate Cupcake in a Jar

This cake, my friends encompasses several of my loves in life all into one perfect little bite. I was known in high school for being a connoisseur of all things black cherry.  Black cherry soda, black cherry ice cream, you name it to this day I LOVE it.  Other loves; Jell-o, white chocolate, white cake & and luscious whipped cream.  Generally you think of all of these ingredients and they don’t normal play nice with each other, but I’m hear to tell you they DO!!

Have you heard of a Jell-o cake or a poke cake?  This is a fun summer treat where you bake a white or vanilla cake,  poke holes in it with a toothpick and pour liquid Jell-o slowly into the cake.  It’s generally made with strawberry Jell-o and then topped with whipped cream or Cool Whip and it’s super yummy.  What I’ve done it incorporated a few new twists on the classic to make something heavenly, here’s what you will need…

Cake

1 box of white or vanilla cake mix

Prepare according to package directions and bake in one of the following methods, 9x13 pan, cupcakes or cupcakes in a jar.  I would steer clear of a layered cake application, because after you add the jell-o this cake is super moist. 

Personally, I have fallen in love with the cupcake in a jar! I’ve seen a lot of people baking cupcakes, cutting them up and then adding them to a jar and then topping with frosting.  Did you know that you could bake the cake directly in the jar? 

I use the 4 oz. wide mouth jars and I fill the jar up a little over half way to prevent the cake spilling over and causing a big mess.  I also baked the cake a little longer that the normal cupcake time because it is a little bigger than your standard cupcake.  I baked it for a solid 30 minutes. 

Jell-o

1 small box of Black Cherry Jell-o

Boil one cup of water and dissolve jell-o in water, stirring mixture for 2 minutes until completely dissolved.  Add one cup of cold water.

With a fork or a toothpick poke holes into cooled caked and gently pour jell-o mixture over the cake.  Refrigerate for at least three hours.

Creamy Topping

1 small box of instant white chocolate pudding mix

1 cup of milk

1 container of Cool Whip

Mix instant pudding with milk until completely smooth {I used my trusty Magic Bullet} and then combine with Cool Whip.  Place in piping bag and pipe onto cupcakes or frost your cake with the luscious mixture.

Double Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes

Double Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes

Who Doesn’t love a cupcake? It’s the perfect portion of sweet indulgence. They transcend through every season and holiday, and Christmas-time is no exception. These cupcakes are a double chocolate fudge with red buttercream frosting.

To make your cupcakes, you can use a special family recipe, or you can certainly use your favorite cake mix from the store. One of my favorite things to do is to jazz up a store bought cake mix. You can add any type of chip (milk, semi-sweet, butterscotch, peanut butter, etc.) to your batter to give it a pop of flavor when you bite into it. Or you can add any of your favorite nuts or sprinkles. One of my secrets to a really moist cupcake is to add pudding into my batter. I like to pick an instant pudding that matches my cake flavor, and I add it in with my wet ingredients. Be sure to make the pudding, not just add the powder into it. Do this and your cupcakes will come out moist and irresistible!

For the frosting, I like to use a homemade buttercream recipe. It’s creamy and delicious, and so simple to make. A few tips about your frosting. First, if possible, use a high-ratio shortening. It gives your frosting an unbelievable creaminess. Second, if you want to make your frosting really white, use a clear vanilla extract and replace butter with shortening. And third, don’t forget to sift your sugar. It helps to make the frosting silky and free of clumps.

Red Buttercream Frosting (via Wilton.com)
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine softened
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (or your favorite extract)
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
2 tablespoons milk
1 bottle of Wilton no-taste red food gel
Makes: About 3 cups of icing, enough to cover 24 cupcakes.

 
 
In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add extract. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add your gel coloring until you get desired color. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.
 
Once your cupcakes have cooled, place your icing tip at the bottom of your pastry bag, and snip off the tip. Use the biggest round frosting tip you have (if no.12 is the biggest you have use it) Load your frosting in your bag, and squeeze down to get the air out.  Then take one of your cupcakes and slowly, in a swirling motion, pipe your frosting onto your cupcake. Once you’re done you can add sugar crystals to your cupcakes to give them an extra sparkle.

Enjoy!

Taco Cupcakes

You know as well as I do that most children are picky eaters. My little ones are the exception to the rule! My kids routinely ask me for sushi, mushrooms, white clam linguine, and Greek Dolmas (grape leave wrapped seasoned rice. Looks disgusting but tastes amazing!)

But when I have other children visiting my home, I make this fun meal that everyone is sure to love.  It tickles them pink that they are allowed to eat "cupcakes" for dinner! The best part about this meal is that it’s complete. No side or veggie required, as it already has all the food pyramid requirements!

 

What you will need,

• 1lb meat of your choice. I prefer ground turkey
• 1 can of corn, drained
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 cans of beans, semi drained. I usually use kidney & chili beans.
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 bunch of cilantro. Rinsed and chopped head to toe.
• 1 box of corn bread
• 1 cup of shredded cheese
• Sour cream optional
• 1 sleeve of cupcake wrappers

Directions

Make the corn bread as directed on package. Set aside.

Brown your beef with the onion. Stir in water and taco seasoning as directed on packet. Toss in corn, beans, and cilantro. Mix well.

Fill each of your cupcake wrappers half full with the meat and bean mix, and pour corn bread mix on top until it is 3/4 full. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of each and bake for 20 minutes or until the mix is golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Dollop some sour cream on the top of each if the kids like, and it looks like a real cupcake!

Erin