Ask a party planner what’s a hot dessert for bridal showers, birthday parties, corporate events, or even weddings and without hesitation they’re bound to say, “cupcakes!”
The simple cake desert has been reinvented and today they’re tastier, more complex, and far more decadent than a simple vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing that may have been one of your favorites as a child.
Professional bakers and home chefs have embraced the cupcake much like an artist embraces a blank canvas -  only the cupcake is an edible masterpiece - one that sometimes looks too good to eat.
When creating fanciful dessert cakes, candy is often used as an ingredient in some form, either as a topping or tucked away inside waiting to be discovered with the first bite.
One example where candy is used as an unexpected surprise is with a Pinata Cupcake. Like the name implies, the cupcake itself is like a pinata where the inside is filled with delicious sweets.
To make a pinata cupcake, whip up a batch like you normally would and bake them all the way. Once they’re cooled, carve a center section of the cupcake out and put in some candy treats. Cover the hole up with a piece of the cake you cut out, then seal it all up with some frosting and some decorations if you want.
When someone takes their first bite or cuts into it, surprise!
[caption id="attachment_4947" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Photo credit: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/[/caption]
There are different types of candy you can use as filler for pinata cupcakes. Rainbow sprinkles are a favorite, as are M & Ms. For kids parties, we even have dinosaur sprinkles that are sure to be a hit either inside the pinata cupcake or sprinkled on top of the frosting.

Step-by-step instructions for pinata cupcakes, can be found here.
Another example of how to use candy in your cupcakes is to literally put a candy bar inside! Well, not a full candy bar, but the snack size mini versions.
For Candy Bar Cupcakes, you’re actually baking the candy bar with the cake, unlike how candy is added for the Pinata Cupcakes. By following this recipe, you’ll whip up your batter, fill your cupcake liner about ⅓ full, add your snack size candy bar, then fill the rest of the way with batter.
Once they’re baked, you’ll decorate them with frosting and sprinkles. When you bite or cut into them you’ll get a delicious bust of unexpected flavor thanks to the melted chocolate bar.
[caption id="attachment_4949" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Photo credit: https://life-in-the-lofthouse.com/[/caption]
The best candy to use for these Candy Bar Cupcakes include the snack size variety of Milky Way, Twix, Snickers, and Rolo.
These are just two examples of how you can take your next batch of cupcakes to the next level. So next time you’re in the mood to do some baking, don’t hesitate to incorporate candy into your recipe.