The Kitchen Tool That Will Give You More Control When Filling Cupcakes

Cupcakes are the perfect handheld cake slice. They can be baked with a variety of different flavors, are fun to decorate, and make beautiful displays. Whether you've got a stubborn sweet tooth or are entertaining, these portable sweet treats are the ideal option. From classic vanilla or chocolate cupcakes to pumpkin spice, carrot cake, red velvet, or even cookie dough cupcakes, the options are endless and can cater to any craving. However, there's one thing that takes a cupcake from good to great, and that's a surprise filling inside.

When working through our Chocolate Raspberry Cupcake recipe, you'll notice that recipe developer Hayley MacLean fills the baked and completely cooled chocolate cupcakes with raspberry preserves before topping them with frosting. Not only does this technique give an extra boost of flavor to an already delicious cupcake, but it's fun to see your guests' reactions when they take their first bite. While cutting out the centers and spooning jam inside is an option, this video shows MacLean using another popular decorating tool for easier filling.

While pastry bags are compatible with different types of fun frosting tips and are typically meant for decorating, they also really come in handy for evenly distributing fillings for cupcakes and preventing a big mess. According to Baking Kneads, professional chefs prefer using pastry bags to pipe fillings because it's more efficient, especially when working preparing large batches of baked goods. All you have to do is cut out the insides of each cupcake using a narrow cylinder cutter or paring knife, stuff the pastry bag with your filling of choice, cut off the tip (remember to make it large enough opening so that thicker substances like preserves can pass through), and pipe the filling into the cupcake.

If you'd rather not go through the motions of cutting out the insides of your cupcakes, an easy trick and time saver is attaching a metal frosting tip to your pastry bag and applying pressure to the centers of your cupcakes to create an indention before filling. Not only does this technique work with cupcakes, but according to Food52, it works with donuts as well. Simply insert the handle of your wooden spoon into the sides of each donut, then pipe your preferred filling into the hole until the donut is completely stuffed. No matter what you're filling, you'll be glad you grabbed a pastry bag to help you end up with a perfect surprise flavor inside instead of a big mess on your counter.