Poinsettia Puddin' Poke Cupcakes

I had a few decorations left over from my double wreath cake and didn't want to waste my hard work (and incredible talent) so I made some holiday cupcakes for my chiropractor's office. Let's just say that slouching over cake decorations hasn't been very good to me but at least the chiropractic office has treated me well.

I found an interesting Chocolate-Peppermint Poke Cake recipe on the back of a Betty Crocker cake mix box which I had cut out, saved and adapted for these festive cuppies.

I'll be honest... the only reason I adapted the recipe is because I couldn't find any peppermint extract. It must've sold out for the season because I looked everywhere! And no... mint extract is not the same as peppermint, I tested. Blech!

I used the recipe posted below and topped these cupcakes off with a sprinkle of red & white sugar crystals, my extra royal icing poinsettias, fondant holly leaves and lil' fondant blossoms.

Cupcakes

1	box chocolate cake mix
	Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box

Filling

1	box (4-serving size) chocolate instant pudding and pie filling mix
2	cups milk

Frosting

1	container chocolate frosting
1	container of vanilla frosting (I used extra vanilla buttercream I already had)

Step 1

Heat oven to 350°F for shiny metal or glass pan (or 325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Line 2 cupcake trays with paper or foil liners. Fill liners 2/3 with prepared mix. Bake cupcakes as directed on box for 24 cupcakes. Cool 10 minutes. With handle of wooden spoon (or something slimmer), poke the top of each warm cupcake in about 4 or 5 spots.

Step 2

In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with wire whisk about 2 minutes. Immediately pour over cake. Cover loosely; refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled.

Step 3

Fill a disposable decorating bag fitted with a 1M tip with half chocolate icing and half vanilla icing.  Pipe a swirl of icing onto each cupcake. Decorate as desired and store covered in refrigerator (although I don’t recommend storing fondant in the fridge at all).

Done! Yummy cuppycakes to share...

or not.