Description
Delight in these Broken Glass Cupcakes, a festive and fun dessert perfect for Halloween or any special occasion. Featuring moist white cupcakes infused with strawberry pie filling and topped with vibrant, candy shards that mimic broken glass, this recipe combines classic flavors with a spectacular presentation that’s sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Ingredients
- 18.25 ounces white cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup strawberry pie filling
Buttercream Frosting Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 pound confectioner’s sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
Broken Glass Candy Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup corn syrup (light)
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3 tablespoons strawberry pie filling gel
Instructions
- Prepare the Cupcake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, water, eggs, vegetable oil, and strawberry pie filling. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and smooth.
- Bake the Cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cupcake pans with paper liners and fill each about 2/3 full with batter. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow cupcakes to cool completely.
- Make the Buttercream Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add confectioner’s sugar and salt, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract and heavy cream, continuing to beat until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with more cream or sugar as needed.
- Prepare the Broken Glass Candy: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, water, light corn syrup, and cream of tartar. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves, then stop stirring and let mixture come to a boil. Continue boiling until the candy reaches hard crack stage (300°F or 149°C) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and quickly stir in strawberry pie filling gel to add color and flavor.
- Create Candy ‘Glass’ Sheets: Pour the hot candy mixture onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, spreading it thinly and evenly. Allow it to cool and harden completely at room temperature. Once cool, break into shards resembling broken glass.
- Assemble the Cupcakes: Frost the cooled cupcakes generously with the prepared buttercream. Decorate each cupcake with several pieces of the broken glass candy shards, creating a visually striking candy glass effect on top.
Notes
- These Broken Glass Cupcakes make a spectacular dessert centerpiece for Halloween or themed parties.
- Handle the hot sugar mixture with care to avoid burns—wear gloves if needed when breaking the candy into shards.
- Store cupcakes in a cool, dry place to keep the candy shards crisp; high humidity may cause them to soften.
- Feel free to customize the candy gel color or flavor to match different themes or occasions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 305 kcal
- Sugar: 51 g
- Sodium: 229 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 80 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 24 mg
