Cupcakes 4 Ways

RECIPE:
Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcakes
Makes 12
Ingredients:
1 box red velvet cake mix, prepared according to package instructions
16 ounces cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups cream cheese frosting
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375° F
2. In a large bowl, prepare the red velvet cake batter. In a separate bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla, stirring until there are no lumps.
3. Divide the batter evenly among a lined muffin tin, filling halfway. Spoon some of the cream cheese mixture onto the batter. Top with remaining batter, filling until about ¾ of the way up. Bake for 20 minutes, then cool.
4. Pipe the cream cheese frosting onto each cupcake, then top with red velvet crumbs.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cupcakes
Makes 12
Ingredients:
1 box white cake mix, prepared according to package instructions
20 strawberries
1 cup chocolate chips
2 cups vanilla frosting
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375° F
2. In a large bowl, prepare the cake batter. Divide the batter evenly among a lined muffin tin, filling halfway.
3. Finely chop 8 of the strawberries and spoon them evenly on top of the batter. Top with remaining batter, filling until about ¾ of the way up. Bake for 20 minutes, then cool.
4. In a small bowl, microwave the chocolate chips in 20 second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Dip the strawberries in the chocolate, then chill.
5. Pipe the frosting onto each cupcake, then top with a chocolate-covered strawberry.
Cookie Dough Cupcakes
Makes 12
Ingredients:
1 box vanilla cake mix, prepared according to package instructions
1 8-ounce tube chocolate chip cookie dough
1 cup chocolate chips
2 cups cream cheese frosting
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375° F
2. In a large bowl, prepare the cake batter. Divide the batter evenly among a lined muffin tin, filling halfway.
3. Place a small ball of cookie dough on each, then top with remaining batter, filling until about ¾ of the way up. Bake for 20 minutes, then cool.
4. Pipe the frosting onto each cupcake, then top with chocolate chips.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Makes 12
Ingredients:
1 box chocolate cake mix, prepared according to package instructions
18 chocolate peanut butter cups
1 cup vanilla frosting
¾ cup peanut butter
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375° F
2. In a large bowl, prepare the cake batter. Divide the batter evenly among a lined muffin tin, filling halfway.
3. Place a peanut butter cup in each, then top with remaining batter, filling until about ¾ of the way up. Bake for 20 minutes, then cool.
4. In a separate bowl, combine peanut butter and vanilla frosting, stirring until smooth. Then halve the remaining peanut butter cups.
5. Pipe the frosting onto each cupcake, then top with the peanut butter cup halves.
Music provided by Warner Chappell Inc. Used with permission