Surprise-Inside Spring Cupcakes

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy

Yesterday I was so excited to share my Easter tablescape with you. That post also included a few entertaining ideas and sweet treats. As promised, today I’m back with all the details, plus the recipe, for making those fun, colorful, and surprising cupcakes.

Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm
Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm

When I first saw the Vanilla Cupcake M&Ms, I immediately began to brainstorm how I might use them on my table or in a recipe. As I got to thinking, Amanda of I am Baker came to mind. Not only is she the “Queen of Cake”, but she is also the “President of Surprise-Inside Cakes.” She even wrote the book on it. (It’s called Surprise-Inside Cakes!)

So that’s when my plan came together. I’d bake classic yellow cupcakes, hollow out the centers, fill them with the M&Ms, and top things off with sprinkles. Done!

Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm

If you want to join in the fun, first you’ll need to bake cupcakes. I’m sharing a recipe below, but feel free to use a box mix or your favorite recipe.

Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm

Once your cupcakes are cooled, use a knife to cut a circle in the top of each cupcake. Carefully, pop that piece out and set it safely aside because you’ll need it later. To create a little space inside each cupcake, use a spoon to remove some of the cake. (It’s OK to sample what you remove. You deserve it.)

Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm

Now tuck in 5 or 6 M&Ms in each cupcake and replace the reserved piece of cake in the top.

Finally, pipe on the frosting (I used a classic buttercream that was tinted light pink) and decorate it with sprinkles. The surprise is now set!

Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm
Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm

Sidenote: Mixing a variety of sprinkles to create one mega sprinkle is now a trend. I gave it a try and must say I’m kind of digging it!

Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm

In my opinion, cupcakes are an excellent dessert for almost any occasion. People seem to like them, and they are easy to whip up, especially if you use a box mix. (Please don’t use a store-bought frosting, however. Homemade is a trillion times better.)

Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm
Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm

Filling cupcakes with M&Ms just makes the whole experience that much better. What do you think?

So fun, right?

Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm
Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm

As fabulous as cupcakes are on their own, these few extra steps will allow you to create something special and unique for your guests to enjoy.

Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm

(Just in case you’re looking for the recipe for the Peanut Butter Cookies for Spring, you can find it here.)

Happy Easter and Happy Baking!

Surprise-Inspired Spring Cupcakes - cupcake dessert recipe for Spring and Easter | Inspired by Charm
Easter Entertaining Ideas | Spring Tablescape and Easter Basket Tips

Surprise-Inside Spring Cupcakes

Buttercream frosting tops these Surprise-Inside Spring Cupcakes filled with chocolate candy pieces.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple cake, cake, dessert, streusel, buttercream, cupcakes, spring
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24
Calories: 426kcal

Ingredients

Buttercream Frosting:

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Line two cupcake pans (24 cupcakes total) with paper liners and set them set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • With an electric mixer, cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla at medium speed until light and fluffy (5-6 minutes).
  • Add the eggs to your sugar mixture, one at a time, and blend well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • With the eggs incorporated, add the dry ingredients. Alternate with your milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  • Divide the batter into the prepared cupcake pans, filling each cupcake liner about three-quarters full.
  • Bake for 16-20 minutes or until the cupcake springs back when pressed in the center. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Then remove the cupcakes from the pan and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
  • While your cupcakes cool, prepare the frosting.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until it becomes pale and fluffy.
  • Adjust the mixer to low speed and add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until it is incorporated. Increase the mixer speed to medium and add the vanilla extract, salt, 2 tablespoons of milk, and food coloring. Add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, to achieve the desired constancy.
  • Add the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large open-star tip.
  • To add the M&Ms to the cupcakes: Use a small paring knife to cut a circle in the top of each cupcake. Gently remove the section of cut cupcake and reserve.
  • Using a teaspoon, create a small cavity in the cupcake. Fill with 5 or 6 M&Ms. Then replace the reserved cake circle to seal in the M&Ms. Pipe each cupcake with buttercream frosting and top with sprinkles.

Nutrition

Calories: 426kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 679IU | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




14 Comments

  1. I think I’ll use this idea for my kids school Easter celebrations! What kids wouldn’t be super happy with candy on the inside? 😀 I had thought that I would pipe bright green buttercream on top to look like grass(there is a tip for that) and then nestle a chocolate mini egg on the top though. Just my way of making it Easter-ish.

  2. I have two grandsons, ages 2 and 8. My first thought was to make these for them for Easter. But my 8 year old loves to cook! So this is going to be Mimi and Justin’s special recipe, to make together, for everyone else for Easter! He’ll be so proud! Thanks for sharing Michael!!!

  3. Pretty and fun. Perfect to make with my granddaughter … we might eat some of the candy along the way.

    You put a lot of work into creating great content for us readers. Thank you!