These sweet Buried Treasure Cupcakes are filled with little mini-“gems”. They will leave all the pirates at your party completely satisfied.
This year my son Madden turned 8, a very big deal and with lots of celebration which isn’t Madden’s personality at all. Being the middle child of 5, he doesn’t really seek attention or for that matter doesn’t like a lot of attention on him. But this year, he soaked in every bit. I mean check out this smile.
His party changed from moment to moment and theme to theme that was until it became a pirate party. He was set. Decorations ordered, love Amazon. Menu determined: hot dogs, buns, chips, and watermelon all Madden’s picking. Then there was the most important part….the cake.
My kids love coming up with ideas for me. But Madden couldn’t decide what he wanted, that is, until I came up with this idea. Originally we were going to crush up Jolly Ranchers as the crystals in the middle of the cupcakes. But with 17 kids attending the party, the risk was high of a cracked tooth or complaint of the hard candy in the middle. That is when I went with Mini M&M’s and who doesn’t love these little pieces of chocolate?!
In the end, the party was a success, sword fights and all and most importantly the cupcakes were a “treasured” hit.
Enjoy! XOXO San
How do you make Buried Treasure Cupcakes?
Chocolate Cupcakes
Mix all ingredients together until moist and well blended.
Place 15 cupcakes liners in a cupcake pan. Add batter until about 2/3 full.
Place in oven for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Buttercream
In a large bowl, I use my Kitchen Aid mixer cream together butter and vanilla. Slowly blend in the confectioners’ sugar, one cup at a time beating well after each addition.
Beat in the milk and cocoa powder and continue mixing until light and fluffy. You may need to add more confectioners’ sugar or milk until you find the right consistency, this varies every time I do the recipe.
Buried Treasure Cupcakes Assembly
Hole out the center of the cooled cupcakes by using a cereal spoon and scoop out the center, as pictured.
Fill with Mini-M&M’s.
Frost tops of cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream frosting.
If needed smooth out the frosting, then top with 1 Hershey’s Nugget still wrapped in paper.
Generously sprinkle top of cupcake with Oreo cookie crumbs and then a pinch of gold sprinkles.
Repeat process with remaining cupcakes, frosting, and candy.
Serve immediately or save for later. If I use them that day, I leave them out. Otherwise, I store them in a box, stick the box in a bag, and tie it shut. This keeps them from drying out.
Love these fun cupcakes? Try these other recipes! Easy Rocket Cupcakes, Oreo Spider Cupcakes, and these Chocolate Caramel Surprise Cupcakes.
Don’t forget to pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board to save for later!
Buried Treasure Cupcakes
Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcakes
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar
Chocolate Buttercream
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
- ¼ cup cocoa
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Buried Treasures
- 12 ounce bag Mini M&M’s
- 15 Milk chocolate Hershey’s Nuggets
- 12 Oreo Cookies crumbled
- 3 tablespoons gold sprinkles
Instructions
Chocolate Cupcakes
- Mix all ingredients together until moist and well blended.
- Place 15 cupcakes liners in a cupcake pan. Add batter until about 2/3 full. Place in oven for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Buttercream
- In a large bowl, I use my Kitchen Aid mixer cream together butter and vanilla. Slowly blend in the confectioners’ sugar, one cup at a time beating well after each addition.
- Beat in the milk and cocoa powder and continue mixing until light and fluffy. You may need to add more confectioners’ sugar or milk until you find the right consistency, this varies every time I do the recipe.
Buried Treasure Cupcakes Assembly
- Hole out the center of the cooled cupcakes by using a cereal spoon and scoop out the center, as pictured.
- Fill with Mini-M&M’s.
- Frost tops of cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream frosting.
- If needed smooth out the frosting, then top with 1 Hershey’s Nugget still wrapped in paper.
- Generously sprinkle top of cupcake with Oreo cookie crumbs and then a pinch of gold sprinkles.
- Repeat process with remaining cupcakes, frosting, and candy.
- Serve immediately or save for later. If I use them that day, I leave them out. Otherwise I store them in a box, stick the box in a bag, and tie it shut. This keeps them from drying out.
[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:380]
These were beautiful and such a fun treat for the day. Plus they were absolutely delicious.
These are SO cute and so much better than Jolly Ranchers (fruity candy hater over here, ha!) I love these fun cupcakes!
oh my cuteness!!! those are so fun and I bet delicious
Perfect cupcakes for a party