Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creative and cute – These cupcakes are as fun to make as they are to eat, with a playful carrot patch theme.
- Perfect for Easter – A unique and festive dessert for your holiday table.
- Rich and flavorful – The chocolate cake combined with the creamy frosting and sweet strawberries is irresistible.
- Kid-friendly – Kids will love helping to create the carrot patch topping!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Pillsbury™ Moist Supreme® Chocolate Cake Mix
- Butter
- Sour cream
- Milk
- Eggs
- Chocolate cream-filled sandwich cookies
- Pillsbury™ Creamy Supreme® Chocolate Frosting
- Strawberries
- Coconut oil
- Orange candy melts
- Fresh mint (optional, for garnish)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line muffin pans with cupcake liners.
- Mix the cake ingredients and bake for 18-20 minutes.
- While the cupcakes are cooling, crush the cookies for the “dirt.”
- Frost the cupcakes, sprinkle with cookie crumbs, and create a hole in the center.
- Dip strawberries into melted orange candy melts to create the “carrots” and place them in the center of each cupcake.
- Garnish with mint for a final touch if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 24 cupcakes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 48 minutes
Variations
- Add sprinkles – Use colorful sprinkles for extra fun.
- Use other fruits – Instead of strawberries, you could use orange-tinted candy-coated almonds or other fruits.
- Gluten-free version – Substitute the cake mix with a gluten-free alternative.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Store in the fridge for up to 5 days, allowing them to reach room temperature before serving.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 3 months; thaw and frost when ready to serve.
FAQs
Can I use homemade chocolate cake instead of the cake mix?
Yes, a homemade chocolate cake recipe can be used in place of the mix.
How do I make the carrot “strawberries”?
Melt orange candy melts, dip clean strawberries, and let them set before placing them on the cupcakes.
Can I prepare the cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake and frost the cupcakes up to 2 days in advance. Just store them in an airtight container.
Can I use white chocolate instead of orange candy melts?
Yes, white chocolate with orange food coloring works well as an alternative.
How can I store leftover cupcakes?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Can I use a different frosting flavor?
Feel free to substitute the chocolate frosting with vanilla or cream cheese frosting.
Can I freeze these cupcakes?
Yes, freeze the cupcakes unfrosted for up to 3 months, then frost when you’re ready to serve.
How do I make the “dirt” more textured?
Crush the cookies coarsely for a more rustic, chunky dirt effect.
Can I make these cupcakes without the mint leaves?
Yes, the mint leaves are optional and are just for garnish.
Can I make mini versions of these cupcakes?
Yes, just reduce the baking time to about 10-12 minutes for mini cupcakes.
Conclusion
These Carrot Patch Cupcakes are a fun, festive, and delicious treat for spring, perfect for Easter gatherings. With their chocolate base, creamy frosting, and cute strawberry “carrots,” they are sure to become a favorite at any celebration.
Print
Carrot Patch Cupcakes
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 24 cupcakes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Carrot Patch Cupcakes are an adorable and fun treat, perfect for Easter or any spring celebration. With a rich chocolate base, creamy frosting, cookie “dirt,” and strawberry “carrots,” these cupcakes are not only delicious but also visually impressive. A fun, creative dessert that kids will love helping to create!
Ingredients
- 1 box Pillsbury™ Moist Supreme® Chocolate Cake Mix
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¾ cup milk
- 3 large eggs
- 12 chocolate cream-filled sandwich cookies, crushed (for “dirt”)
- 1 can Pillsbury™ Creamy Supreme® Chocolate Frosting
- 12 strawberries
- 2 tbsp coconut oil (for dipping)
- ½ cup orange candy melts
- Fresh mint (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line muffin pans with cupcake liners.
2️⃣ Mix cake batter: In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, butter, sour cream, milk, and eggs. Follow the instructions on the box for mixing.
3️⃣ Bake: Divide the batter into the cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.
4️⃣ Prepare the “dirt”: While the cupcakes cool, crush the chocolate cream-filled sandwich cookies into coarse crumbs to create the “dirt.”
5️⃣ Frost the cupcakes: Once the cupcakes have cooled, spread a generous layer of chocolate frosting on each cupcake.
6️⃣ Add the “dirt”: Sprinkle the cookie crumbs over the frosted cupcakes, making sure to cover them completely. Use your finger to create a small hole in the center of each cupcake.
7️⃣ Make the “carrots”: Melt the orange candy melts and coconut oil together. Dip each strawberry into the melted candy mixture, then let them set. Once set, place the dipped strawberries in the center of each cupcake.
8️⃣ Garnish (optional): Top with a small mint leaf to mimic a carrot’s green top.
9️⃣ Serve: Enjoy your Carrot Patch Cupcakes!
Notes
- Add sprinkles – For a fun pop of color, add colorful sprinkles to the frosting or dirt.
- Use other fruits – Substitute strawberries with orange-tinted candy-coated almonds or other fruits for a different twist.
- Gluten-free version – Use a gluten-free cake mix to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
