{This is part of a compensated campaign with the J.M. Smucker Company. As a member of their Celebration Starters program, I receive product samples and compensation}
My love for baking began in the kitchen of my childhood home. Several times a week, my mom would oversee the baking of muffins, scones, cakes and other treats. At the time, my “baking” consisted of opening up a box and adding in the required amount of eggs, milk, and oil. As a child, I felt like I was creating something straight out of a Martha Stewart magazine and it bolstered my confidence enough to eventually start baking from scratch and even creating my own recipes.
Fast forward 30 years and you’ll often find one or both of my kids on their step stool, at my side, measuring, pouring, and mixing as we talk about the art and science of creating delightful meals. The easiest way to teach my kids the basics of being in the kitchen includes preparing simple dishes with minimal ingredients and steps. We typically always use a box when we’re baking together and admittedly, there are times when those sweets turn out the best.
Pillsbury recently launched a brand new line of better-for-you baking mixes called Purely Simple. As an avid label reader and a mom passionate about healthy eating, I appreciate the fact that I can identify the small list of ingredients on the package and that Pillsbury does not use added colors, preservatives or artificial flavors. The line includes cake mixes, brownie mixes, cookie mixes and frosting mixes to help you create nearly every kind of dessert imaginable. We’ve baked the cakes and cookies as is and also used them as a starting point for more elaborate creations like our Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches.
Today, I’m sharing an easy recipe for Black Forest Cupcakes using Pillsbury’s Purely Simple Chocolate Cake and Cupcake Mix. In addition to the required butter, milk, and eggs, I used fresh cherries, a hint of sugar and an easy Buttercream frosting that takes these cupcakes up to gourmet status! Serve these at a Spring birthday party or a Summer BBQ and your guests will never know they are semi-homemade!
- 1 box of Purely Simple Chocolate Cake & Cupcake Mix
- 1/2 cup of butter
- 1 cup of milk
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 pound fresh cherries pitted
- 2 tablespoons of water
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream
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Preheat oven to 350°F
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Combine cake mix and butter in a bowl using a stand mixer on medium speed
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Add milk and eggs and combine on low speed
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Beat on medium speed for 1 minute and increase speed to medium-high for 2 additional minutes
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Pour batter into cupcake pan and bake at 350°F for 19-23 minutes
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In a medium pot, combine fresh cherries, water and sugar
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Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat
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Turn heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes
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Allow cherry filling to cool completely before filling cupcakes
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Combine butter, powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream in a bowl using a stand mixer on medium speed
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Use or refrigerate immediately
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Use a cupcake corer to create a hole in the center of each cupcake
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Fill with 1 tablespoon of cherry filling
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Frost each cupcake using a #1M decorating tip
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Serve immediately
These cupcakes are absolutely divine! My kids were particularly excited about the “hidden” cherry surprise once they took their first bite. You could easily substitute cherry filling and Purely Simple’s Buttercream Frosting if you’re pressed for time.
To locate Pillsbury’s Purely Simple Cake, Cookie, Brownie and Frosting Mixes, visit their online Product Locator.
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