Cream Filled Cupcakes

homemade cream filled cupcakes tutorial

Cream filled cupcakes are a fun surprise cupcake project for kids. The outside looks like a regular cupcake, but the inside has a sweet cream filling tucked into the center.

This page shows two ways to fill cupcakes: with a pastry bag and decorating tip, or by cutting out a small piece from the top of each cupcake. Start with how to make cupcakes, then use this page after the cupcakes are baked and completely cooled.

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Cream Filled Cupcake Supplies

Gather the cupcakes, filling ingredients, and filling tools before you begin. The cupcakes need to be baked and completely cooled before you add the cream filling.

  • Chocolate cake mix or homemade chocolate cupcake batter
  • Cupcake liners or greased muffin pans
  • Homemade cream filling ingredients
  • Pastry bag
  • Number 21 decorating tip or large writing tip
  • Small knife for the cut-and-fill method
  • Frosting for the tops
  • Sprinkles or decorations, optional

Adult help: Adults should handle the stove, oven, hot pans, and any knife work. Kids can help measure, mix, fill the pastry bag, squeeze filling into cooled cupcakes, frost, and decorate.

Homemade Cream Filling Recipe

This homemade cream filling is light, sweet, and fluffy. The cooked flour and milk mixture needs to cool completely before it is added to the butter, sugar, and shortening mixture.

Cream Filling for Cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 cups milk
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup solid shortening
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon butter extract, optional

Directions

  1. In a saucepan, cook the flour and milk together. Stir constantly until thickened.
  2. Set the cooked flour mixture aside and let it cool completely.
  3. Cream together the sugar, butter, and shortening.
  4. Add the cooled milk mixture, vanilla, and optional butter extract.
  5. Beat well for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the filling is light and fluffy.

cooked flour and milk mixture for cream filling

First, cook the flour and milk together until the mixture thickens. Stir constantly so the mixture stays smooth. Let this mixture cool completely before adding it to the other ingredients.

butter sugar and shortening creamed together for cupcake filling

Next, cream together the sugar, butter, and shortening until smooth.

cream filling ingredients mixed together

Add the cooled milk mixture, vanilla, and butter extract if you are using it.

finished cream filling ready for cupcakes

Beat the filling for 10 to 12 minutes. The filling should become fluffy and smooth before you add it to the cupcakes.

Method 1: Fill Cupcakes with a Pastry Bag

The pastry bag method is the quickest way to add cream filling to cupcakes. It works best with a decorating tip that can reach into the center of the cupcake.

  1. Place the cream filling into a pastry bag fitted with a number 21 tip or large writing tip.
  2. Insert the tip into the top center of a cooled cupcake.
  3. Gently squeeze the pastry bag to push filling into the cupcake.
  4. Stop squeezing when you see a little filling come back to the top.
  5. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes.
  6. Frost the cupcakes to cover the filling spot.

pastry bag filled with cream filling for cupcakes

Fill the pastry bag with cream filling. If kids are helping, place the pastry bag inside a tall cup and fold the top edge over the cup. This makes it easier to spoon the filling into the bag.

adding cream filling into the center of a cupcake with a pastry bag

Insert the tip into the cupcake and squeeze gently. If the cupcake begins to split, stop squeezing and move to the next cupcake.

cream filled cupcakes frosted and finished

After filling, frost the cupcakes however you like. For frosting practice, visit how to frost cupcakes.

Method 2: Cut and Fill Cupcakes

If you do not have a pastry bag or decorating tip, you can use the cut-and-fill method. This method is easy to see and works well for kids when an adult does the cutting.

  1. Use a small knife to cut a small cone or triangle from the top center of a cooled cupcake.
  2. Lift out the small piece of cake and set it aside.
  3. Spoon a small amount of cream filling into the opening.
  4. Place the cake piece back on top.
  5. Frost the cupcake to cover the cut area.

small piece cut from the top of a cupcake for filling cake piece replaced on top of a cream filled cupcake

This method makes it easy to control how much filling goes inside each cupcake. Add just enough filling to fill the center without overflowing.

finished cream filled cupcake

Decorating Ideas

Cream filled cupcakes can be decorated simply or turned into a full cupcake decorating activity. Since the surprise is inside, the outside can stay simple.

Classic Cream Filled Cupcakes

  • Chocolate cupcakes
  • Vanilla cream filling
  • Chocolate frosting
  • White frosting swirl on top

Birthday Filled Cupcakes

  • Vanilla or chocolate cupcakes
  • Colored cream filling
  • Buttercream frosting
  • Rainbow sprinkles

Holiday Filled Cupcakes

  • Chocolate or spice cupcakes
  • Vanilla cream filling
  • Seasonal sprinkles
  • Colored cupcake wrappers

Helpful Tips

  • Cool cupcakes completely before filling.
  • Let the cooked flour and milk mixture cool completely before adding it to the filling.
  • Do not overfill the cupcakes or they may split.
  • Use a pastry bag for a neater filling method.
  • Use the cut-and-fill method if you do not have decorating tips.
  • Frost the cupcakes after filling to hide the opening.
  • Keep cream filled cupcakes cool if your filling or frosting contains dairy.
  • Serve the cupcakes the same day for the best texture.

Kid-friendly idea: Let kids decorate the tops after an adult fills the cupcakes. Set out frosting, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, and cupcake wrappers for an easy decorating station.

More Cupcake Decorating Pages

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Cream Filled Cupcakes FAQ

How do you add filling to cupcakes?

You can add filling to cupcakes by using a pastry bag and decorating tip to pipe filling into the center, or by cutting out a small piece from the top, spooning filling inside, and replacing the cake piece before frosting.

Should cupcakes be cool before filling?

Yes. Cupcakes should be completely cool before adding filling. Warm cupcakes can melt or soften the filling.

Can kids help make cream filled cupcakes?

Kids can help fill pastry bags, squeeze filling into cupcakes, frost, and decorate. Adults should handle the stove, hot pans, and any knife work.

Do cream filled cupcakes need to be refrigerated?

Cream filled cupcakes should be kept cool and refrigerated if the filling or frosting contains dairy or ingredients that need chilling. Serve them the same day for best texture.

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