How to Fill a Cupcake Like a Culinary Pro

Who doesn’t love cupcakes? These petite treats are a delight to the taste buds, but it’s one thing to make a cupcake and another to fill a cupcake. The first category is inevitable if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen like I do. The second category, on the other hand, is a cupcake hack for those who don’t just want to make these delicious snacks but boost their flavor. Once you master this hack, you’ll be invincible when it comes to a filled cupcake. I’ve tried and tested several methods and discovered the easiest way to do it.

I’m pretty sure you’ll love to learn how filling cupcakes works. We’ll get to that in a bit. First, I need to introduce you to what you’ll need to make it happen.

Tools You Need For Filling Cupcakes

The items listed below aren’t used interdependently. They have their respective methods, and I’ll be showing you every one of them. After knowing all of them, it’s left to you to make your choice based on what’s available and the item that appeals to you the most.

• Paring knife (A small paring knife will be ideal. The pointy end of its blade will be used to make the hole you need to insert your filling into)
• Apple Corer or Cupcake Corer (This is the best tool for creating the hole you need at the center of the cupcake because it ensures the holes on your cupcakes are uniform in size. However, we don’t recommend it for delicate or mini cupcakes)
• Mini ice cream scoop (This is perfect for adding firm fillings such as ice cream, chocolate ganache, or vanilla buttercream)
• Teaspoon or soup spoon ( Ideal for precision when filling cupcakes, but we don’t recommend it for thick fillings such as a fruit filling because it could get messy)
• Hands
• Piping bag with tip (This is a pastry bag fitted with a tip. It’s ideal for thin fillings such as lemon curd)
• Piping bag without a tip

How To Fill Cupcakes Before You Bake?

Usually, we recommend filling cupcakes after baking because it carries less risk. Filling the cupcake batter before baking is riskier because you don’t have any sort of control over what happens to the filling while your cupcake is in the oven. That’s why if you must fill the cupcake batter before baking, you have to choose right. Not all fillings are ideal for cupcakes before baking.

You should avoid marshmallow fluff, sprinkles, and chocolate chips because they tend to melt when the cupcake is baking in the oven. Instead, we recommend solid or firm fillings such as raspberry jam, cream cheese frosting, cinnamon sugar/powdered sugar, roasted nuts, and cookie dough. Another thing to consider is to ensure that your choice of cupcake frosting or filling is one that will combine well with the cake mix.

Though this method carries more risk, it’s easier to make filled cupcakes before baking than after. Simply scoop your cupcake batter in its liquid form into the cup till it’s half-full and add your filling. Then, scoop the batter on top of the filling till the cup is completely full. Then, insert the batter into the oven and let the cupcakes bake. To check if the cupcake is ready, poke it with a toothpick. Happy baking!

The Different Cupcake Filling Methods After Baking

The methods listed below are the preferred methods for making a hollow in your cupcake and adding your filling. They are how you make filled cupcakes.

How To Fill Cupcakes With A Paring Knife?

• Use the pointy end of the knife to make a small hole at the center of the cupcake. Place the knife at a 45-degree angle and take a cone out of the cupcake.
• We recommend going midway. Drilling too deeply in the cupcake could ruin its structure and give the filling you’ll add an escape route from the cupcake.
• Take out the cone after going half the depth of the cake and add your preferred filling.
• You can then choose to replace the cone shape or not, depending on how you want your filled cupcakes to look.

How To Fill Cupcakes With An Apple Corer?

• Push your apple corer gently at the center of the cupcake till you reach half or 3/4 of the cupcake.
• Pull it out gently.
• Add your filling.

How To Fill Cupcakes With A Mini Ice Cream Scoop?

• The scoop is not designed to create a hole in your cupcake, so you’ll need an apple corer or your knife.
• Use the scoop to take a measure of the desired filling and add it to the hollowed cupcake.

How To Fill Cupcakes With A Teaspoon?

• Just like the scoop, you can’t make a perfect hollow with your teaspoon. This is solely for adding filling to your cupcake.
• Depending on the quantity you want, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of your desired filling to this dessert cuisine.

How To Fill Cupcakes With Your Hands?

• After making your hollow with the cupcake intact, you can use your hands in the absence of other tools.
• Simply put the desired amount of your favorite filling you want to use in a bowl.
• Wash your fingers and then take out the filling from the bowl and put it in your cupcake. You’ll have easy-filled cupcakes. However, without a steady hand, you may make a mess at the top of the cupcake.

How To Fill Cupcakes With Piping Bag With A Tip?

• Cut the piping bag while putting the tip injector in position.
• Add your delicious fillings to the bag.
• To keep the piping bag steady, place it in a tall container with the pastry tip side out and facing downwards.
• After adding your filling to this pastry bag, move the tip straight down to the hollow and gently squeeze the tip injector to fill the cupcakes.
• When you’re done, hold the tip and take the piping tip out in an upward motion from the top of the cupcake.

How To Fill Cupcakes With Piping Bag Without A Tip?

• Add your filling inside the piping bag.
• Gently squeeze the filling towards the tip of the bag in a downward motion to expel the air.
• Cut the end of the bag (the tip).
• Gently press the tip so the filling can come out. How long you add pressure should depend on how much filling you want to add to the center of your cupcake.

How To Fill Cupcake Liners?

This is very important to know because it will help your cupcake to bake evenly across the batch. To do this:

• Use a scoop to apply batter consistently on the cupcake liner. Alternatively, you can use a piping bag which is also ideal because it will make the work neat.
• Put it to be 2/3 full or three tablespoons of batter on the liner for standard cupcakes.

Variety Of Fillings For Cupcakes (Recipes)

One of the best things about this treat is that there are various cupcake-filling ideas. So you can’t run out of options to put inside cupcakes if you like experimenting with several options. You can even do flavor combinations by using more than one filling as long as they have a similar or complementary flavor profile.

So what are these fillings that will make my cupcakes taste heavenly?

• Whipped Cream: Whipped cream is not only delicious but fluffy and light-colored. It also combines well with fruit filling.
• Classic buttercream: You simply can’t go wrong with this. It comes as no surprise that it’s one of the most common fillings for cupcakes. Imagine the rich, creamy taste this filling will give your snack.
• Caramel: Apply warmed caramel into the cupcake. Some caramel fillings are on the thicker side, but liquefying it will be ideal.
• Cream cheese frosting: If you are making fruit cupcakes such as strawberry cupcakes or carrot cupcakes, I can’t think of any better filling than cream cheese. It’s best applied inside the cupcake with a pastry bag.
• Roasted nuts: Certain cupcake recipes include roasted nuts. This filling can be in the cupcake batter or the frosting. Regardless of what you choose, the contrasting texture and concentrated flavor it adds to your cupcake is worth the effort.
• Apple pie filling: This is the ideal filling for a spiced cupcake recipe. This is one of the best fruit-filling ideas. Simply chop it up into minute sizes and put it in the hollow of your cupcake.
• Nut butter: It could be peanut or hazelnut butter. It’s best applied with a piping bag.
• Lemon curd: If you want a filling that will give your cupcake a burst of fresh flavor, go for lemon curd. Fill your piping bag with it and gently press it to apply the desired amount of filling. You can also use tablespoons.
• Jam: This is another common filling for cupcakes. It’s best applied with an injector or spoon.
• Chocolate ganache: Chocolate comes in varieties – milk chocolate, white chocolate, and dark chocolate. Imagine the gooey goodness that invades your taste buds and melts in your mouth when you take a bite. Now, that’s going to be a fun surprise for your birthday party.
• Nutella: If you love chocolate cupcakes, a Nutella filling is the ultimate choice. First, we recommend you warm it so it’s runny. Then, fill it in a piping bag and gently push the tip to fill the cupcakes.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

How Can I Properly Store Leftover Cupcakes?

Place it inside an airtight container to keep it moist and prevent it from being contaminated. There are two places to keep your cupcakes. The first option is in your fridge for about 4-6 days. The alternative is a cool, dark place.

Is It Okay To Fill Cupcakes To The Brim?

No. That will be overfilling the cup. When it bakes, there will be insufficient space for the batter to climb, and the cupcake will overflow, leaving you with a flat cupcake. We recommend making it 3/4 full so there will be space for the batter to climb when it bakes in the oven.

Do You Serve Cupcakes Warm Or Cold?

Neither. Cupcakes are best served at room temperature. Cupcakes are made of butter which sets hard when cold and becomes very soft when warm. Room temperature will give you the ideal firmness. So, if your cupcakes are straight from the oven, don’t dive in just yet. Allow it to cool completely.

What’s The Best Way To Fill Cupcakes Without Being Messy About It?

There isn’t just one, but several. You have the paring knife, apple corer, and piping bag with tip. However, the most ideal should be the Apple corer.

What Makes Cupcakes Soggy?

It’s the sugar in them. Sugar tends to draw moisture from humidity, and this will cause the cupcake top to be sticky and wet. This is why we recommend storing this snack in an airtight container.

How Do I Make My Cupcake Filling Thicker?

By adding powdered sugar. This will give more firmness to your icing or filling.

Why Do I Need To Add Fillings To My Cupcake?

The extra punch of flavor is why you should add fillings to your cupcakes. It’s a hack that will make your cupcake creamier and tastier.

What Makes A Cupcake Hard?

Two things – if the oven temperature is too hot for the cupcakes and if the snack is stored in the fridge longer than 5 or 6 days.

What Can Make Your Cupcake Shrink?

If your cupcake contains high liquid content, it will initially puff up when the snack is baking in the oven. However, the liquid will produce a lot of steam which will cause your cupcake to shrink when it evaporates.

How Do I Make My Cupcake Fluffy?

When you combine the cream with sugar, it will create a fluffy batter. This is because the combination allows for air to enter the batter, making it soft and light. When you bake the snack, you’ll have a fluffy cupcake.

Is There Another Way To Prevent Your Cupcake From Sticking Without Liners?

Yes. You can do this by opting for parchment paper instead of cups.

Conclusion

To recap, there are two ways to make your cupcake hollowed to add filling inside – through a small paring knife and an apple corer. Then, there are several ways to apply filling into the hollow – piping bag with or without the tip, mini scoop, a tablespoon/teaspoon, and your hands. In the absence of some of these options, there are alternatives. Also, remember that you have several filling options, but specific options are preferable for certain types of cupcakes than others. Taking note of all the tips in this guide will make you an expert cupcake filler, and your treats will be a delight to friends and family. Happy baking! Until next time.