Ice Cream Surprise Cupcakes

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Delightful Ice Cream Filled Cupcakes: The Ultimate Family Celebration Treat

Ice Cream Filled Cupcakes ready to be enjoyed, showcasing their delicious filling

For many families, special occasions, especially birthdays, mean a cherished tradition of gathering around a beloved dessert. In our household, the calendar often feels like a continuous celebration, with birthdays popping up almost every month from August all the way through March. It’s a joyful, albeit busy, season! Recently, we kicked off this festive period by celebrating my oldest son’s birthday a little early. Instead of our usual apple pie and ice cream, we decided to embark on a sweet adventure and create something truly memorable: homemade Ice Cream Filled Cupcakes. This delightful twist on a classic dessert proved to be an absolute hit, especially since the summer heat still lingers, making a cool, creamy treat all the more appealing.

The inspiration for these unique treats came from a friend’s party where I first encountered them. They looked surprisingly simple to make, and I immediately thought of incorporating my son’s favorite Mayfield® Turtle Tracks ice cream. While baking isn’t usually my forte – a fact well-known in our home – I decided to give it a go. The outcome? Pure joy! The kids absolutely adored them, and honestly, so did I. It’s always a wonderful feeling to step out of your comfort zone and create something special that brings smiles to everyone’s faces. This recipe, which you’ll find detailed below, is a testament to how easy and rewarding homemade desserts can be.

Close-up of an Ice Cream Filled Cupcake, revealing the creamy ice cream center before icing

Why Mayfield® Ice Cream Elevates Every Dessert

Our family’s love affair with Mayfield® ice cream began shortly after we moved to Florida. Its extensive and mouth-watering selection quickly became an instant favorite, a status it proudly maintains to this day. What truly sets Mayfield® apart, beyond its incredible taste, is its commitment to quality. Their ice cream is crafted using fresh cream sourced directly from their very own dairy, and notably, it’s free from growth hormones. This dedication to natural, wholesome ingredients shines through in every spoonful, delivering a premium taste experience.

The iconic Mayfield® ice cream story is steeped in tradition, originating from a cherished family recipe back in 1923. For generations, they’ve been renowned across the Southeast for their irresistibly creamy and rich flavors. Our family, like so many others, has fallen in love with these signature tastes. From classic vanilla to the decadent Turtle Tracks, Mayfield® brings a touch of authentic Southern charm and quality to every dessert, making it the perfect choice for our special ice cream filled cupcakes.

A scoop of Mayfield® Turtle Tracks ice cream, highlighting its rich texture and delicious mix-ins

Discover Mayfield® at Walmart and Join the Flavor Family

Ready to experience the exceptional taste of Mayfield® ice cream for yourself? You’ll be delighted to know that it’s now available at Walmart! This makes it incredibly convenient to pick up your favorite flavors, including the delectable Turtle Tracks I used in this recipe, along with many other amazing varieties. Walmart’s expanded selection means you can easily find the perfect Mayfield® ice cream to complement any dessert or simply enjoy on its own.

What’s truly special about Mayfield® is how they continue to honor their roots, treating their consumers like an extended family through their genuine Southern hospitality. This ethos extends to their exclusive “Mayfield Flavor Family.” By becoming a part of this community, you gain privileged access to exciting perks: you’ll be among the first to discover new, innovative flavors and receive special offers that add even more sweetness to your day. It’s a wonderful way to connect with a brand that genuinely cares about its customers and the moments they create.

Mayfield® also loves hearing from its fans. They cherish feedback and enjoy learning how their ice cream helps create those unforgettable special moments. So, don’t hesitate to get social with them! Follow them on Facebook and Twitter to share your stories, explore new products, and stay connected with the Mayfield® community.

The Easiest Ice Cream Filled Cupcakes Recipe for Family Fun

Creating these delightful ice cream filled cupcakes is a fun and surprisingly simple project, perfect for involving the whole family. The “wow” factor of a delicious cupcake hiding a creamy ice cream surprise makes them an unforgettable treat for any celebration or just a special weeknight dessert. Here’s how you can make your own:

Ingredients:

1 box of your favorite milk chocolate cake mix (or any flavor you prefer!)
3 large eggs
Vegetable oil (as per cake mix instructions)
Water (as per cake mix instructions)
1.5 quarts Mayfield® Turtle Tracks ice cream (allow to soften slightly)
1 tub of prepared icing (vanilla or chocolate work wonderfully)
Colorful sprinkles for decoration
A small, sharp knife (a paring knife is ideal for precision)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Your Cupcakes
Begin by preparing your cupcakes according to the instructions provided on your chosen box of cake mix. This typically involves combining the cake mix, eggs, oil, and water. Mix until smooth, then divide the batter evenly into a lined muffin tin. Bake as directed until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before proceeding. This step is crucial; warm cupcakes will melt the ice cream!

Freshly baked chocolate cupcakes cooling on a wire rack

Step 2: Create the Ice Cream Pocket
Once your cupcakes are thoroughly cooled, it’s time to create the space for the ice cream. Using a small, sharp knife (a paring knife offers excellent control), carefully cut a circular shape into the center of each cupcake. You want to create a “cup” or hollow, ensuring you don’t cut all the way through the bottom. Gently remove the cut-out cake piece. You can save these little cake tops – they’ll be used again!

Using a knife to cut a circular hole in the center of a baked cupcake
The hollowed-out center of a cupcake, ready for filling

Step 3: Fill with Mayfield® Ice Cream
Now for the star of the show! Take your slightly softened Mayfield® Turtle Tracks ice cream (or your favorite Mayfield® flavor) and spoon it generously into the hollowed-out centers of your cupcakes. Press the ice cream down gently to ensure it fills the space without creating air pockets. Work relatively quickly here to prevent the ice cream from melting too much.

A cupcake being filled with a scoop of Mayfield® Turtle Tracks ice cream

Step 4: Seal and Chill
Once filled, carefully place the cut-out cupcake tops back over the ice cream filling. They might not fit perfectly flush, but that’s okay – the icing will cover it later. Place the filled cupcakes in the refrigerator immediately. This is an essential step to allow the ice cream to firm up again and to keep the cupcakes fresh until you’re ready to serve them. Ideally, chill for at least 30 minutes, or longer if possible.

The cupcake tops placed back onto the ice cream-filled cupcakes, ready for chilling

Step 5: Decorate and Serve
Just before serving, take your chilled cupcakes and apply a generous layer of your chosen icing. Smooth it over the top, making sure to cover the seam where the cupcake top meets the base. Finally, add a vibrant scattering of colorful sprinkles to make them look festive and appealing. These ice cream filled cupcakes are best enjoyed fresh, so serve them right away after decorating!

Applying a generous layer of white icing to a freshly filled and chilled cupcake
Close-up of a decorated ice cream filled cupcake with colorful sprinkles
A platter of beautifully decorated Ice Cream Filled Cupcakes ready for a celebration

Tips for Perfect Ice Cream Filled Cupcakes Every Time:

  • Chill Your Ice Cream: For easier scooping and less mess, ensure your Mayfield® ice cream is firm but slightly pliable. If it’s too hard, let it sit out for a few minutes; if too soft, it will melt too quickly.
  • Kid-Friendly Activity: This recipe is fantastic for involving children! They can help with mixing the cake batter, filling the cupcakes with ice cream (with supervision), and especially with the fun part: adding the sprinkles and icing.
  • Flavor Combinations: Don’t limit yourself to chocolate cake and Turtle Tracks! Experiment with different cake mixes (vanilla, red velvet, strawberry) and various Mayfield® ice cream flavors (Mint Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Bean, Moose Tracks).
  • Storage: If you’re making these ahead of time, store the filled (but un-iced) cupcakes in an airtight container in the freezer. When ready to serve, simply remove them, let them thaw for a few minutes, then ice and sprinkle.
  • Perfect Presentation: For a neater look, use a piping bag to apply the icing. This gives a professional finish and makes decorating even more enjoyable.

A large platter filled with a variety of colorful and decorated Ice Cream Filled Cupcakes, perfect for sharing

These ice cream filled cupcakes are not just desserts; they are an experience. They’re pretty easy to make, and as you can see from the step-by-step photos, they yield stunning results. More importantly, they offer a fantastic opportunity for family bonding in the kitchen, creating delicious memories that will last long after the last bite. So next time a birthday or special occasion rolls around, or even if you just crave a unique and refreshing treat, consider whipping up a batch of these incredible cupcakes with your favorite Mayfield® ice cream. Your family will thank you for it!