Shirley Temple Cupcakes

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I honestly can’t remember the first time I tasted one, but I do remember how special they were to me. They were special because I only really was allowed to drink them when something “special” was taking place – Christmas, family weddings, going out to eat, etc.
Today I’m sharing these tasty and super fun Shirley Temple Cupcakes made with Cherry Chip cake mix spiked with lemon-lime soda, filled with a marshmallowy fluff, topped with vanilla butter cream frosting and garnished with a cherry. Whew! Talk about CRAZY good – your kids will love them!

Shirley Temple Cupcakes - Bitz & Giggles

So, let’s start with the filling. Have you ever filled a cupcake? I’ll admit that I don’t do it that often because it is a bit time consuming, but since this is a special occasion and we’re talking Shirley Temples I thought I would snap a pic or two on how I do it. Everyone may have their own little method. Mine includes my measuring spoon that I use to scoop out a small chunk in the center of the cupcake and then a baby spoon dipped in warm water to scoop the marshmallow filling into the cupcake.
Cupcake Filling
Once the filling is in, gently place the piece of the cupcake you had scooped out back on top of the cupcake. Don’t worry if it looks a little messy. You’re going to cover it with frosting anyway. It’s kind of like putting makeup on in the morning. 🙂
Speaking of putting on makeup, it was so humid last weekend when I made these cupcakes, I wasn’t sure I should even bother getting all made up that day. I tend to feel that way on the weekends. I grumble about the fact I need to shower, wash my hair and put on makeup, since every day during the week I go through the routine because I need to be “presentable.”
Is that bad? Am I starting to just throw in the towel? I sure hope other women out there feel this way sometimes. To my defense, that day there was 98% humidity in the air. How was I going to get my makeup. . . or frosting to stick to anything?
Shirley Temple Cupcake
Well, thankfully miracles DO happen. I did successfully get myself ready that day (we had a wedding that evening; I really had no choice) and as long as I cranked the A/C in the house, I knew I could probably get my frosting to cooperate, too. Everything worked out fine. I put on my makeup, I frosted my cupcakes, I licked the bowl and then I popped one of these babies into my mouth. HEAVENLY!!
Shirley Temple
All of a sudden, the kids showed up and it was a game of 20 questions. “Why are those cupcakes on top of each other?” “Is that a real cherry?” “Can I drink that juice?” “Did you eat one already?” Sigh.

ingredients

  • For the Cupcakes
  • Cherry Chip boxed cake mix with specified ingredients (substitute lemon-lime soda for water)
  • Maraschino cherries for garnish (optional)
  • For the Filling
  • 7 oz. marshmallow fluff
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • For the Frosting
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cherry JELL-O powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

instructions

  1. For the Cupcakes
  2. Prepare cupcakes as directed on the box, substituting the water with lemon-lime soda.
  3. When cooled, use a small spoon or melon baller to scoop out a portion of the top of each cupcake.
  4. Use a small spoon dipped in warm water (to prevent the marshmallow mixture from sticking to the spoon) to put a scoop of the marshmallow mixture into the hole you just made in the cupcake.
  5. Put the top of the cupcake you had cut out back into the hole, gently pressing it back into its place.
  6. Frost the cupcakes and garnish with a maraschino cherry if desired.
  7. For the Filling
  8. Combine the butter and vanilla extract until creamy and add in the marshmallow fluff.
  9. For the Frosting
  10. Use a mixer to combine the cream cheese and butter, add in the JELL-O and the vanilla extract.
  11. Gradually add the powdered sugar continuing to mix.
  12. Beat until all ingredients are combined and frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
  13. If you want a thicker frosting use more powdered sugar, if you’d like it to be thinner, use less powdered sugar.

Shirley Temple Cupcakes
So, that was the end of the photo shoot. I packed up my things, the treats were disassembled and we all sat in the kitchen eating our cupcakes and drinking Shirley Temples. Yep, I had another cupcake. After all, Shirley Temples are for special occasions, whether in liquid. . . or cupcake form. So celebrate! If you got yourself ready for the day today, you deserve one. . .or two of these AWESOME cupcakes, too!
Shirley Temple
If all this talk about cupcakes has got you thirsty, swing on over to Bitz & Giggles where I’m sharing my drink recipe for Shirley Temples! I hope you stop by!

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Kelly Dixon

Welcome to Smart School House! I’m so glad you are here! I’m Kelly Dixon and my website is designed to inspire your creative side. I hope you visit us here often!


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2 Comments

  1. This is so cute! I remember being a little girl and getting Shirley Temples at wedding to be like the adults 🙂