Strawberry-Cream Cheese Cupcakes with Cake Mix

A decadent strawberry-cream cheese filling baked into the center of these cupcakes provides a sweet surprise in every bite.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 249 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup water
• 2 large eggs
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
• 1 (16 ounce) container cream cheese frosting
• 1 (15.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 3 tablespoons strawberry preserves
• 6 large strawberries, sliced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), or to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) if using dark or nonstick pans.

Step 2

Mix cake mix, sour cream, oil, water, and eggs with a spoon in a large bowl until well blended; batter will be thick. Divide batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups.

Step 3

Cut cream cheese into 24 pieces. Stir preserves in a bowl until smooth.

Step 4

Place one piece of cream cheese on top of each cupcake and press slightly into the batter. Spoon 1/4 teaspoon preserves over the cream cheese.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until tops are golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed, 18 to 23 minutes; some preserves may show in the tops of the cupcakes. Cool in the tins for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and let cool, about 30 minutes.

Step 6

Spread frosting over the cooled cupcakes. Garnish with strawberry slices.