Funfetti Vanilla Pudding Cupcakes

My youngest son loves sprinkles, so for his birthday I decided to make colorful funfetti cupcakes with a vanilla pudding filling and vanilla buttercream icing with more sprinkles.  I also used a few vanilla chips to add texture and flavor.

Ingredients:

Cupcakes-

One box funfetti cake mix

¼ cup vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

5 vanilla funfetti chips for each cupcake

Filling-

1 package instant vanilla pudding

2 cups cold milk

Icing-

1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature

2 cups confectioners sugar

¼ cup rainbow colored sprinkles

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon milk at room temperature

Directions:

Cupcakes-

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. Add cake mix, yogurt, and applesauce to a large mixer. 
3. Mix on medium 2-3 minutes to combine be sure to scrape down the edges.
4. Use a large cookie scooper to fill muffin tins 2/3. I made 18 cupcakes.
5. Place 5 vanilla chips in a circle on the outside edge of each cupcake.
6. Bake 20 minutes until cupcakes are set.
7. Let cool on a wire rack.

Filling-

1. Add pudding mixture and milk to a large bowl.  Whisk for 2 minutes.
2. Allow pudding to set while you prepare cupcakes.
3. Use a large icing tip or melon baller to make wholes for the filling.  (I ate the removed cake 😊)
4. Add pudding to an icing bag or icing tool.  Use a medium to large round tip.  Fill each whole to the top.
5. Place cupcakes in the refrigerator to allow pudding to set while you make the frosting.

Icing-

1. Add the butter and sugar to a stand mixer.  Beat on medium until combined.
2. Add the vanilla and beat on medium high until creamy about 3 minutes.
3. Add milk.  Beat on medium high 1 more minute until fluffy.
4. Add sprinkles.  Beat on medium high 1 more minute to mix in the color.
5. Transfer icing to a piping bag or icing tool.  Use a large tip to make circles. 
6. Place 1 vanilla chip in the center of each cupcake.
7. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.