RECIPE: Raspberry Creme-Filled Cupcakes and a Pillsbury Funfetti Starter Kit GIVEAWAY!

**This giveaway is now closed!  See below for winner!**

If you read my blog you know I love a good party and what's more is that I love to throw a good party. One of my absolute favorite types of parties to throw are birthday parties, woot! They are just so fun, I love deciding on the theme, planning the menu, and creating the ambience and table decor. There is just something about putting it all together that I can't get enough of...color coordination at it's best! 

A few things I like to keep in mind when I throw a birthday party are:

1. Know Your Guest of Honor. What do they like...food-wise, drink-wise?  What are their interests? As much as you want to make your guests feel special the number one person you should be catering to is your Guest of Honor! Having their favorite food whether it be a meal or a certain appetizer is a way to add that personal touch to a party.  And knowing their interests can help you pinpoint a certain theme or come up with a few fun activities to do during the party as well!
2. Determine Your Guest List. Is it just a small family affair? A get-together with close friends? Or is it a big blow-out bash? Knowing who you will invite will help you determine the venue you will need (house, park, restaurant, etc) as well as the style of the party (buffet, sit-down meal, or something in-between)
3. Plan Your Menu.  Spending a few moments a few weeks ahead of time on your menu will save you a lot of stress.  You can figure out if you want to do light appetizers, a buffet lunch, or a full-on meal.  Plus you can determine what foods can be made ahead of time and what truly has to be done the day of so that you can actually enjoy your party when your guests arrive.

Did you know that Pillsbury is celebrating the 25th birthday of Funfetti this year? Yup, they are having a big 'ol celebration for Funfetti by putting out 4 all-new frostings in bold and vibrant colors!  In honor of this quarter century birthday celebration I was asked to create a fun recipe for y'all using that crazy-colored sprinkle cake mix. Sweet, let's get this party started! 

I decided to create Raspberry Creme-Filled Cupcakes as my tribute to Funfetti...I mean who doesn't love raspberry-flavored frosting oozing out of the center of their Funfetti cupcake, nom!!

Raspberry Creme-Filled Cupcakes (makes 24 cupcakes)

1 15.25 oz box of Pillsbury Funfetti Cake & Cupcake Mix
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 15.6 oz container of Pillsbury Vanilla Confetti Funfetti Frosting
1/4 cup Seedless Raspberry Jam
#12 circular tip
Ziploc bag

In a medium bowl, mix together cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs.  Pour batter into lined cupcake tin and bake at 350 degrees for 19-22 minutes or until cupcakes are golden brown. While the cupcakes cool make the raspberry frosting.

Raspberry Frosting
In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the full container of frosting and the raspberry jam.  Mix on high for 1 minute or until frosting is well combined.  Snip a very small corner off of the ziploc bag and place the tip in its place. Pour the frosting into the bag. Place the tip into the center of a cupcake and squeeze the frosting into the cupcake just enough until the cupcake puffs up a bit.  Finish frosting the cupcake top as you desire. Decorate and enjoy!

First off, you will need a box of Funfetti cake mix and a container of Funfetti frosting.  It feels like a party already doesn't it?

You'll also need a jar of Raspberry Jam, seedless is best!

Make the cupcakes as directed on the back of the box and let them cool.

While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare your frosting!  Place the whole container of frosting and 1/4 cup of raspberry jam into the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on high for about 1 minute or until everything is well combined.  

Grab a #12 circular piping tip and a ziploc bag.  

Snip one itty bitty corner off of the bag and place the tip into the opening.  Fill with frosting.

Then just place your tip into the center of each cupcake and squeeze the frosting into your cupcake until the top puffs up a bit. 

Once each cupcake is filled, frost the tops of each cupcakes anyway you desire.

Of course, if you are using the Funfetti frosting you have to use sprinkles!

Ahh, so pretty...but pretty enough to not eat? I don't think so! ;-)

I think these are the perfect cupcakes to help Funfetti celebrate 25 wonderful years.

And to help you celebrate from your very own home, Pillsbury is giving away ONE Funfetti Celebration Starter Kit to ONE of my lucky readers which includes:

• One box of Pillsbury Funfetti Premium Cake and Cupcake Mix
• Funfetti Frostings (1 each of the four new frosting flavors)
• $50 VISA or American Express gift card
• Total estimated giveaway value of $60

You can enter to win the giveaway by clicking here or the Rafflecopter widget below.
Visit the Pillsbury Facebook page here to enter to win an additional giveaway too!

**The winner is...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XOXO,

** I have been compensated for this post. However, all opinions are truthful and my own.  This post contains paid links.