Dessert

Gluten Free Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes

Discover easy Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes & heavenly homemade frosting. Perfect for busy days! Get the recipe now.

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Gluten Free Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes
Recipe insights & TIPS

Sometimes we have the time to do everything from scratch.  Okay, that’s not true.  I don’t feel like I EVER have the time to do anything from scratch!  I live in the real world with stressful days packed with errands and activities and work.  Half of this recipe is from the box, but the other half is actually homemade with just four ingredients.  These cupcakes leave a little surprise inside for all of your taste testers.  Have fun with these and enjoy!

Gluten Free Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes

Why You’ll Love This - That One Thing

This frosting is off the charts amazing.  A few simple ingredients - butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar and cool whip.  It is so light and velvety it will truly knock your socks off.  It is more delicious than any pre-made frosting you can buy off the shelf at your grocery store and certainly has less ingredients.  You can actually pronounce all of these ingredients!  Do not skip over this one because you’ll be using this frosting for all of your desserts from this point forward.

Ingredients You’ll Need - Quick Snapshot

Here are the ingredients you will need (see quantities below):

  • Krusteaz Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix - We could have gone homemade, but boy is this easier
  • Eggs/Milk/Oil - For the cake mix instructions
  • Chocolate Jell-O Instant Pudding - Add this to the cake batter for extra richness
  • Butter - Ingredient 1 of 4 for the most amazing homemade frosting
  • Cream Cheese - Ingredient 2 of 4 for the frosting
  • Powdered Sugar - Ingredient 3 of 4 - I had no idea how much powdered sugar it took to make great frosting!
  • Cool Whip - Ingredient 4 of 4 and this makes it so velvety and smooth

The Process

Who doesn’t love an easy dessert recipe with the most magnificent homemade frosting?

This one is so simple (because we’re using boxed cake mix, but just don’t tell anyone!).  The set of ingredients is quite minimal.

gluten free chocolate surprise cupcakes

Prepare the cake mix as directed on the box.  We also add a packet of Jell-O Instant Pudding Mix for extra richness.

gluten free chocolate surprise cupcakes

While the cupcakes are baking, it is time to make the homemade frosting!

gluten free chocolate surprise cupcakes

The easiest way to make a frosting piping bag at home is to take a drinking glass from your cabinet and place a ziplock baggie inside and wrap it around the top of the glass.

Next, fill the baggie with your homemade frosting.

gluten free chocolate surprise cupcakes

Cut a small corner of the baggie (start small, you can always make it bigger if needed).

Take each cupcake and poke a hole in the middle of the cupcake with the handle-end of a wooden spoon. 

gluten free chocolate surprise cupcakes

Fill each cupcake hole with frosting, then frost the top.  You’ve now left a delicious surprise inside each cupcake with frosting throughout each bite.

gluten free chocolate surprise cupcakes
gluten free chocolate surprise cupcake

We find the cupcakes and frosting taste even better when refrigerated.

Did You Know

What’s with eating gluten-free anyway?

Ah, gluten-free eating, a world of culinary adventures and unexpected discoveries! Whether you're a dedicated gluten-free enthusiast or just exploring this dietary path, get ready to embark on a gluten-free journey that promises excitement and deliciousness. So, gather 'round, gluten avoiders and gluten lovers alike, as we dive into the delightful realm of gluten-free eating!

Picture this: you wake up in the morning, ready to conquer the day armed with gluten-free pancakes. Fluffy, golden-brown circles of joy, these pancakes make you question why gluten ever existed in the first place. Topped with fresh berries, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a sprinkle of powdered sugar, they transport you to breakfast heaven.

As the day progresses, your gluten-free lunch becomes the envy of all your coworkers. Gone are the days of boring sandwiches—now you're the proud owner of a vibrant salad bursting with flavors. Quinoa, kale, avocado, and grilled chicken mingle together, dancing in a zesty vinaigrette. Your taste buds rejoice as you savor each gluten-free bite, turning lunchtime into a glorious fiesta.

Now, let's talk about dinner. Picture a sizzling skillet, aromatic herbs filling the air. You flip a juicy steak to perfection, while next to it, a medley of colorful vegetables sizzle away. A gluten-free feast fit for a king or queen! Your taste buds are tantalized with each tender bite, proving that gluten-free dining can be both decadent and nourishing.

But wait, let's not forget the snacks! Gluten-free snacking is an adventure in itself. Crunchy kale chips, cheesy popcorn, and oven-baked sweet potato fries become your new best friends. You explore the aisles of your local grocery store, discovering a treasure trove of gluten-free goodies. From chocolate bars to savory crackers, the snack options are endless, and your taste buds are forever grateful.

And oh, the desserts! Gluten-free baking has come a long way, my friend (as you can see from our simply delicious chocolate surprise cupcakes). Indulge in a heavenly slice of gluten-free chocolate cake, moist and velvety. Or how about a batch of warm, gooey gluten-free cookies fresh out of the oven? You'll find that gluten-free sweets can be just as delectable, if not more, than their gluten-filled counterparts. So, go ahead and treat yourself!

In the realm of gluten-free eating, there's no room for boredom or monotony. Embrace the vibrant array of flavors, experiment with new ingredients, and let your taste buds dance to the rhythm of gluten-free goodness. Remember, the gluten-free life is a celebration of food that's both delicious and nourishing. So, get ready to savor every bite and embark on a culinary adventure that will make you a gluten-free believer!

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Recipe

Try our delicious Gluten Free Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes.

Course:
Dessert
COOKing TIME:
25 minutes
Total TIME:
40 minutes
CUISINE:
American
PREP TIME:
15 minutes
SERVINGS:
24

Ingredients

CUPCAKE BATTER

  • 1 box of Kruzteaz Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 packet of Jell-O chocolate instant pudding mix

FROSTING

  • 1 stick butter (softened)
  • 1 8 oz. package of cream cheese (softened)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup cool whip (thawed)

Ingredient Swaps

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 eggs, 1 ½ cups milk, 1 cup vegetable oil and whisk together
  3. Add the packet of Krusteaz Gluten Free Chocolate Cake mix and whisk together
  4. Add the packet of Jell-O chocolate instant pudding mix and whisk together
  5. Add the batter to greased cupcake tins (makes about 24 cupcakes) and cook until a toothpick comes out clean in the middle (about 20-25 minutes)
  6. While the cupcakes are cooling, start the frosting!
  7. In a large mixing bowl, blend with a mixer the 1 stick butter and 1 package of cream cheese
  8. Slowly add the 4 cups of powdered sugar as you continue to mix on low speed
  9. Once the butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar are all mixed together, add the 1 cup of cool whip and whisk together (it will be thick)
  10. Once the cupcakes are cooled, take the end of a wooden spoon and poke a hole into the middle of each cupcake
  11. Pipe frosting into the middle of each cupcake, and frost the top as well leaving a frosting surprise in the middle of each cupcake
  12. Refrigerate the cupcakes after they are frosted
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