These homemade Vanilla Cherry Pie Cupcakes are a fun way to celebrate any party. The surprise cherry center will make everyone smile when they find it.
Do you long for the lazy days of summer? It's been so long since we have actually had a summer with absolutely nothing to do.
I remember when our kids were little, and we would look forward to summer time because it meant nothing but pool days and park fun.
Then our kids started getting older, we changed jobs, started a new business, and realized that summer is really just another season with more things to do.
Now don't get me wrong. There are still plenty of lazy days basking in the sun at the pool, going for a drive to get milkshakes, or making a frozen salted caramel mocha hot chocolate at home.
But those fun things are scattered among baseball practice, soccer practice, dance classes, church activities, and work time. And don't forget about trying to get quiet time, work out time and baking in between all the running around.
I'm feeling a nap come on just thinking about all of it.
This week we are getting things together for my husband to lead a team into Haiti for another pastor's conference. (You can read about the Haiti Pastor's conference and the lessons I learned from my trip to Haiti if you are interested.)
Plus, two of our kids will be celebrating their birthdays while he is gone, so we have a special birthday dinner for our family before he leaves. I should probably finish the food for that...
And then just when I thought baseball was over, our youngest got chosen for the All Stars baseball team, so more practices and games just went on the next few week's schedule. I am super excited for him though.
One of the ways I like to relax is by spending time in my kitchen baking fun treats.
This homemade cupcake recipe is perfect for hiding pie filling in the center. I used a can of cherry pie filling, but you could absolutely use your favorite kind. Lemon curd, chocolate pudding, hot fudge...the filling ideas are endless! What would you fill yours with?
Since this is a cherry pie cupcake, I added some pie crust shapes to it. Use one refrigerated pie crust and cut shapes out. Sprinkle the shapes with cinnamon sugar and bake. Stars are great for the 4th of July, but you could do any small shape to go with your theme parties.
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Vanilla Cherry Pie Cupcakes
These easy Vanilla Cherry Pie Cupcakes are a delicious treat for summer. A homemade cupcake with a cherry center will make every one smile!
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Cupcakes
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Topping and Filling
- 1 refrigerated pie crust
- 1 ½ Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 21 ounce can cherry pie filling
- 1 cup milk
- 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding
- 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed
- colored sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place 24 lines in a cupcake pan.
- Beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat again.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add this alternately with the buttermilk until all has been mixed in.
- Beat the mixture for another 1-2 minutes on medium.
- Fill the liners with the batter. Bake for 16-17 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs on it. Let cool completely.
- Stir together the sugar and cinnamon. Unroll the pie crust according to the package directions.
- Cut out mini star shapes. Place on a baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes. Let cool.
- Use a cupcake corer and remove the center of each cupcake. Use a teaspoon to fill the centers with cherry pie filling.
- Whisk together the milk and instant pudding. Refrigerate for 2-3 minutes until thick. Fold in the Cool Whip until light and creamy. Top each cupcake with a generous swirl of frosting.
- Add fun colored sprinkles and a star pie crust topper. Store the cupcakes in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 279Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 176mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking
These cupcakes look fabulous Jocelyn!! Those adorable stars are the perfect touch, and that fluffy frosting and sprinkles... Absolutely divine. 🙂 I remember those lazy summer days -- they were the best! Sleeping in, lounging by the pool, random dessert parties with friends, picnics in the backyard... Where did the time go?? So happy for you that you've been able to sneak in some pool days though. You definitely deserve the relaxation with how hard you work!!
Chels+R.
I wish I would of had time to make these for the 4th. We had so much family in town from Africa (my husband's relatives are missionaries and are in the states on furlough) and we had just gotten back from a family reunion. These look so good I might just have to make them without any of the patriotic stuff. 🙂
Shae
This sounds delicious and I love the cherry surprise center! Very nice and definitely festive!
dina
these are great for the 4th of july. all your filled cupcakes look amazing!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Dina! 😉
Julie+@+Lovely+Little+Kitchen
Super adorable cupcakes! Love that cherry filling in the middle. Pinning :0)
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Julie!
Kelly
These cupcakes are gorgeous Jocelyn! Love the cherry filling surprise inside - pinned 🙂 Summers definitely feel more hectic - love when we have lazy days and weekends 🙂
Sheila+@+Sweet+Baked+Life
Love the cherry inside! Yum! What a great summer cupcake!
Melanie+@+Carmel+Moments
Festive and fun. Love cherry and vanilla together.
Pinning for sure.
Have a great weekend Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Melanie! 🙂
Alexis @ Upside Down Pear
I need one of these cupcakes right now!! I can't believe how fast this summer is going by. We waited the entire (and extremely loooong) winter just for this moment and now it's running away! The perfect day would just to have one of these while sitting around the pool!
aux+fourneaux
Love the colors! cupcakes are so cute and pretty
Bye
Manuella
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Manuella! 🙂
Jennie @themessybakerblog
These are absolutely gorgeous. I love the surprise cherry inside. Pinned.
Kelly+@+Mostly+Homemade+Mom
My boys are 5 and 3 and I'm JUST getting into the sports craziness - my oldest starts "big boy soccer" in a few weeks, yikes! These cupcakes are seriously making my mouth water right now, yum!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Awwww, yay for big boy soccer! 😉 Thanks Kelly!
Nicole, RD
We don't have anything major this summer, but visitors keep us busy. I love the weekends of nothingness! More time to bake 😉 Annnnd cherries are in season 🙂
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
Oooo I love the look of these fluffy cupcakes with their surprise cherry filling! Beautiful for the 4th of July for sure but really just amazing any day of the year! 😀
Marly
That's the most dreamy looking cherry pie cupcake I've ever seen. Wait. That might be the only one I've ever seen...but I hope it's not the last!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Marly! 😉
Jamie | My Baking Addiction
These are cupcakes are so perfect - I love the cherry surprise inside and that star - too darn cute!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
How cute are these cupcakes? Love the piece of crust on top.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Erin!
Jessica @ Stuck On Sweet
These are so fun! Loving the cherry vanilla flavor and the 4th of July sprinkles! I agree with Christina, exhausted hearing your schedule!
Aimee@ShugarySweets
Summer is always the hardest, because I just want to read and lounge. Which is why I tend to work my butt off in spring so that I can relax a bit more. Of course moving has thrown a whole new wrench in my plans! Ha! These cupcakes are absolutely gorgeous. So fun!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank goodness I don't have to worry about moving right now, I don't know how you've done everything and stayed sane! 😉
DessertForTwo
These are so cute and creative for 4th of July! Love!! And I'm exhausted just reading about your schedule--wow!
Johlene
Love the surprise centre! and love the 4th of July decor!!
I agree life gets more busy when your kids get older, and sometimes it can be overwhelming but if I had to do it all over, I would not change a thing!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Me either! ;)Thanks Johlene!
Chloe+@+foodlikecake
These cupcakes are so cute and pretty!
Taylor+@+Food+Faith+Fitness
Seriously, could these cupcakes BE any cuter?! I think not.
Love the vanilla/cherry combo...and of course, anything in a cupcake form makes my belly happy! pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, I totally just pictured Chandler from Friends as I read your comment! 😉 Thanks Taylor!
marcie
Mmmm…cherry pie filling! Cherry pie and cherry cheesecake have been my favorites forever -- cherry pie filling is the best. It's the one thing that I think almost tastes better canned! These look amazing. 🙂
Mallory+@+Chocolate+with+Grace
So pretty and creative. A great twist on a classic!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Mallory!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
Summers we try to take time off from some things. Except this summer feels already busier than most, between VBS, the beach and running the kids around I am thinking I need another vacation! 🙂 I love how these are filled!
Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons
These are SO pretty...love them!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jill!
Ashton
This are just dreamy looking! And Cool Whip Frosting?! *swoon* These are so perfect for summer time, pinned!
Funny thing about reading this is that I’ve sort of been struggling with my own summer schedule too! My friend (and Emma too!) want to spend all day by the pool and doing fun things. Which would be awesome…. if I didn’t have to somehow squeeze in work, exercise, and housework too! The office still isn’t even unpacked, because we’ve just been lounging by the pool since we moved here! LOL.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Well, try to enjoy this summer as much as you can with your busy schedule! 😉 Thanks Ashoton!
Amy | Club Narwhal
It really does feel like life just speeds up the older I get--and I miss those lazy summer days of my childhood! But these cupcakes are definitely consolation enough for me 🙂 So cute!
Mir
Why are summers busier than the school year? Madness.
These are so adorable!
Jocelyn Brubaker
It's those busy little people of ours! 😉 Thanks Mir!
Julie Henriksen
Love the colors! Perfect for 4th of July?
Zainab
I so agree with you. Summers are busy but having time to relax and have a lazy day is the best. Baking cupcakes on lazy days is also the best!! These cupcakes are gorgeous. So perfect for picnics and bbqs!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Zainab!