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Get ready for an interstellar baking adventure! These Cosmic Cupcakes are not just easy to make and incredibly fun to eat; they’re truly out of this world delicious, promising a delightful surprise inside every single bite!
Celebrate Space Exploration Day with Out-of-This-World Cosmic Cupcakes
July 20th marks Space Exploration Day, and what better way to celebrate the wonders of the universe than with these adorable and tasty cosmic cupcakes? My children, who are utterly captivated by all things space-related, and I embarked on a baking journey that was as educational as it was delicious. As we mixed, baked, and decorated, we delved into fascinating conversations about the planets, the sun, the moon, and the twinkling stars. With big dreams in their eyes, my little astronauts hope to one day journey through the cosmos, perhaps even stepping foot on distant planets and, dare I say, having a dance party with friendly aliens! This baking experience wasn’t just about creating a treat; it was about fueling their imaginations and celebrating the limitless possibilities of discovery.
The Joy of Family Baking: A Pillsbury™ Operation Celebration
Those of you who follow my culinary adventures know how much I cherish moments spent in the kitchen with my kids. So, when Pillsbury™ extended an invitation for us to participate in their Operation Celebration campaign, I enthusiastically accepted. This heartwarming campaign is designed to inspire families everywhere to come together in the kitchen and celebrate life’s countless “little moments.” There’s something truly magical about bonding over baking, especially when the process is easy, fun, and culminates in something utterly delicious. For our family, that’s an invitation we simply can’t resist!
As a pivotal part of the Operation Celebration campaign, Pillsbury delivers a monthly newsletter directly to your inbox. Each edition is packed with festive treats and mouth-watering recipes, specifically curated to spark joy and creativity in your kitchen. It’s a wonderful resource for families looking to create tasty memories together, no matter the occasion. This month, in perfect alignment with Space Exploration Day, the iconic Pillsbury Doughboy sent us a special box brimming with galaxy-themed goodies. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, was clear: create an inspiring space-themed treat, learn more about the cosmos, and most importantly, have a blast as a family in the kitchen. And oh, did we ever succeed!
Effortless Baking with Kids: The Pillsbury Advantage
One of the true marvels of using Pillsbury products for our cosmic baking adventure was how seamlessly it allowed my children to take the lead. From cracking the eggs with careful precision to meticulously filling each cupcake liner, and from expertly piping on the frosting with the innovative new Pillsbury Filled Pastry Bag to generously sprinkling on (what felt like) ALL the sprinkles, my boys and even little Brookie radiated pride in every step of preparing these Cosmic Cupcakes. It wasn’t just about making cupcakes; it was about fostering independence, building confidence, and seeing the sheer joy on their faces as they brought their space-themed vision to life. The simplicity and reliability of Pillsbury cake mix made the entire process incredibly accessible for small hands and big imaginations.
The Game-Changer: Pillsbury Filled Pastry Bags
I could sing praises for days about the new Pillsbury Filled Pastry Bags. This product is an absolute revelation for anyone who loves to bake but dreads the mess and fuss often associated with frosting. Gone are the days of fumbling with pastry bags, struggling to find the right tip, and then wrestling with messy frosting to fill the bag. With Pillsbury’s ingenious design, everything is ready to go with just a simple pull of a plastic tab. The frosting emerges perfectly consistent, creating beautiful swirls and designs with minimal effort. And let’s not forget the taste – it’s absolutely delicious, just what you’d expect from Pillsbury. For busy parents and aspiring young bakers, this innovation offers unparalleled convenience, allowing you to create impressive, tasty treats in a fraction of the time and with virtually no cleanup. It truly streamlines the decorating process, making it enjoyable for everyone involved.
The “Surprise Inside”: A Galaxy of Sprinkles
When I announced to the kids that we were going to fill the center of each cupcake with even more sprinkles, their reaction was priceless. You would have thought they were about to blast off in a real spaceship heading for the stars! Their eyes lit up with pure delight, a testament to how the simplest of surprises can bring such immense joy. This hidden treasure of colorful sprinkles truly elevated our Cosmic Cupcakes from delicious to extraordinary, adding an element of wonder and excitement that perfectly complemented our space theme. It’s these small, unexpected touches that make baking with family so memorable and special.
Our cosmic creation process began by baking delightful Funfetti® cupcakes, with an extra generous helping of galaxy sprinkles stirred directly into the batter for an explosion of color in every bite. Once baked and cooled, we carefully cored each cupcake, creating a small well. This cavity was then generously filled with even more vibrant sprinkles, ensuring that “surprise inside” lived up to its name. The final flourish involved frosting them in a matter of minutes with the incredible Pillsbury Filled Pastry Bag, topping off each perfectly swirled mound of frosting with yet another shower of galaxy sprinkles. These cupcakes weren’t just “cosmic” in name; they were a universe of fun, flavor, and pure joy to create, cementing cherished family memories that will last far beyond Space Exploration Day!
Unleash Your Inner Baker: Join the Pillsbury Operation Celebration!
I wholeheartedly encourage you to carve out time, gather your children, and step into the kitchen to bake up memories that will truly last a lifetime. Let Pillsbury be your guide and inspiration in the months to come by signing up for the Pillsbury Operation Celebration newsletter. Each month, you’ll receive an inspiring email featuring a brand new theme, complete with festive treats, easy-to-follow recipes, and creative ideas designed to help you mix up something truly tasty and memorable with your family. This is more than just baking; it’s about fostering connection, learning new skills, and celebrating the everyday joys of family life. I sincerely hope you and your wonderful crew will join in on this fantastic fun! Be sure to tag @PillsburyBaking #DoughboySurprise and @TheBakerMama when you share your creative culinary masterpieces, so we can all admire your delicious creations!
Here’s to lots of fun, laughter, and yum!
xoxo,
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Cosmic Cupcakes {with a Surprise Inside!}
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Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 19 mins
Total Time: 39 mins
Yield: 24 cupcakes
Category: Dessert
Description
These Cosmic Cupcakes are easy to make, fun to eat and out of this world delicious! Perfect for Space Exploration Day or any family baking occasion, they feature a delightful sprinkle surprise inside that kids (and adults!) will adore. Pillsbury products make this recipe incredibly simple, ensuring a mess-free and enjoyable experience for all.
Ingredients
- 1 box Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Premium Cake and Cupcake Mix, plus additional ingredients to prepare cake mix according to box instructions (water, oil, eggs as specified)
- 24 cupcake liners
- 1 box Pillsbury filled pastry bag, vanilla flavored (or your preferred frosting flavor)
- 1–1/3 cups galaxy themed sprinkle mix (ensure a vibrant mix of colors and shapes)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two standard 12-cup cupcake pans with cupcake liners, preparing them to make 24 festive cupcakes. Set the pans aside.
- Prepare the Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Premium Cake and Cupcake Mix according to the package directions. This typically involves combining the mix with water, oil, and 3 eggs. Once the cake batter is smooth and well-combined, gently stir in 1/3 cup of your vibrant galaxy-themed sprinkle mix.
- Using a large scoop or an ice cream scoop, carefully fill each cupcake liner approximately halfway full with the colorful batter. Bake for 17-19 minutes, or until the tops of the cupcakes begin to turn a light golden color and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cupcakes have cooled thoroughly, use a small knife or a dedicated cupcake corer to carefully cut a small well (a hole) in the center of each cupcake. This creates the perfect pocket for our surprise! Fill each well generously with additional galaxy sprinkles.
- To frost, tear off the perforated tip of the plastic bag on the end of the Pillsbury Filled Pastry Bag. Gently squeeze the bag until the vanilla-flavored frosting begins to emerge from the tip in a steady stream. Frost each cupcake with a beautiful swirl. Finally, generously sprinkle the frosted cupcakes with the remaining galaxy-themed sprinkles to complete their cosmic look.