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I am not a big “skinny” dessert fan. If I’m going to eat dessert, I prefer it to be quite satisfying. And usually, skinny desserts leave me wanting more.
But not this time. Although, really, I’m not sure how YOU qualify a dessert as skinny. So we will call these skinny-ish, or skinnier cupcakes.
For the cupcakes, I combined one box of yellow cake mix with 1 can of cherry pie filling and 2 eggs. Better than oil, right?
And for the frosting I used a box of sugar free vanilla pudding mix with fat free Cool Whip and skim milk. Totally skinny stuff right there. (since I normally use butter, powdered sugar and cream cheese, we’re talking total diet food here).
I topped each one with a little chocolate heart, enough to satisfy that chocolate craving you might have. And eating this out of the refrigerator? Nice and cold? Yeah, I was not left wanting more.
So if you’re looking for a skinnier dessert recipe this New Year, give these cupcakes a try! I used Lucky Leaf Cherry pie filling, but feel free to try another flavor if you choose! Or Chocolate pudding mix for the frosting. Lots of options!
Want more SKINNY-ish recipes? Here are a few of my favorites….
Pineapple Coconut Cupcakes: 2 ingredient cupcakes with a “lighter” frosting! Perfect if you are craving dessert, but not wanting to ruin your diet!
Chocolate Banana Eggrolls: need to satisfy a chocolate craving without crashing over the deep end? Try these. PLEASE
Looking for some healthy dinner options? Here’s a few of my favorites:
Spicy Grilled Fish with Citrus Slaw: perfectly seasoned and grilled tilapia recipe served with a tangy citrus slaw!
Skinnier Beef Enchiladas: slow cooker shredded beef enchiladas. As good as it sounds. And easy too!
Santa Fe Stuffed Peppers: a healthy twist to a classic dinner!
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Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25oz) yellow cake mix
- 2 eggs
- 1 can (21oz) Cherry Pie Filling
- 1/2 cup skim milk
- 1 box (3.5oz) instant vanilla pudding
- 8oz Fat Free Cool Whip
- sprinkles
- 1/4 cup chocolate candy coating, melted
Instructions
- Melt chocolate candy coating in microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and add an additional 30 seconds if necessary. Pour into a ziploc sandwich bag, snip off corner, and pipe hearts onto a piece of parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine cake mix with eggs and cherry pie filling. Fill cupcake liners 1/2 full and bake in a 350 degree oven for 18-20 minutes. Remove and cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the milk with vanilla pudding for 2 minutes. Fold in Cool Whip and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Spread on cooled cupcakes and add sprinkles. Top each cupcake with a chocolate heart. ENJOY
Linked To: What’s Cookin 36th Avenue Chic and Crafty
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
OHHHH I love everything about these. A little less guilt when eating cake is always a plus!
Carrie recently posted..Fluffernutter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Bars
What a good idea! I want to try with strawberry pie filling!
megan @ whatmegansmaking recently posted..Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Bacon and Toasted Breadcrumbs
I’m sure strawberry pie filling would be amazing in these!!
I love your “skinny” desserts, every little bit helps. I can’t wait to try this, I’ve never thought to bake pie filling into a cake before, yum!
Joan@Chocolateandmore recently posted..Cream Cheese Mints
Every little bit helps, unless you eat a dozen of these skinny cupcakes!
I have never been one to jump on the “skinny” dessert bandwagon, but then I made 2 desserts that actually tasted just as good as the real thing. I love your thinking on how this is a skinny dessert…you crack me up!!! Great idea to sub out the oil for pie filling. And that pudding frosting is one of my favorite cupcake fillings! YUM!!!!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Raspberry Hot Chocolate Bars
Oooh I bet the frosting would be a delicious filling!! Off to think about my next creation!
yeah I’m sort of with you on the “if I’m having dessert I’m already committing to being unhealthy so why make it healthy” – but these cupcakes look adorable! And easy. Which is a serious plus. I’m not a big cherry fan but my mom who is on a diet and LOVES cherries will die of excitement when I send this over to her
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain recently posted..Oreo Cookies and Cream Cake Doughnuts
Totally my mantra. If I’m having dessert, it’s got to be good!! I hope your mom loves these!
So cute and guilt free–love it!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective recently posted..Caramelized Onion Dip
Thanks Sommer. More room for onion dip!!
I’m with you on the “skinny” desserts – they should normally be full fat and full flavor. But yes, sometimes we should try a skinnier version to see how they stack up (or not). Your cherry cupcakes sound like they would be wonderful!
Eva @ Eva Bakes recently posted..Homemade pizza dough
thanks Eva! Surprisingly, they taste pretty amazing!
I agree with you on not loving “skinny” desserts, but this sounds so good. I love how you used the pie filling instead of oil…I’ll definitely be trying that! And the chocolate hearts are so cute!
Megan @ The Pink Flour recently posted..Almond Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Frosting
You totally need to try the pie filling Megan!
So clever and I love cherries so these are the perfect guilt free dessert!
Jennifer @ Mother Thyme recently posted..Baked Potato Soup + Le Creuset Giveaway!
These are totally adorable and too boot skinny! These would be adorable for Valentines day!
I’m a huge fan of skinny desserts! Maybe because I’m used to eating them, I think they are delicious. But I definitely know what you mean about wanting the real thing. When I’m having a serious craving, I go for the full of fat and calories dessert. These skinny-ish cupcakes look amazing. Definitely up my alley.
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection recently posted..Quinoa Veggie Stir Fry
haha Thanks Elaine! Sometimes a splurge is necessary, but with these you really do feel like you’re splurging!!
These are darling…love the pie filling mix in here. I could cherry pie filling with a spoon!
Cathy Pollak @ Noble Pig recently posted..Oven Baked Pulled Pork Flautas
I’ve been all about the skinny stuff on my blog all month long – even desserts! I only like skinny desserts if they don’t taste skinny. They have to be totally sneaky for me to love them. Can you really go wrong with chocolate, pudding and pie filling??
Back For Seconds recently posted..Back For Seconds Social *Link Party*
You definitely are the queen of skinny foods! And nope, can’t go wrong with those ingredients at all!
It’s totally skinny. I mean, as long as I can cut out enough calories so I can eat two, we’re all good. These are really pretty!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Easy Lemon Sweet Rolls
So very true. That’s quite my problem, is I can never stop at one dessert…
aimee @ shugarysweets recently posted..Skinny Cherry Cupcakes for Valentine’s Day
Nothing wrong with skimming a few extra calorie’s off your dessert! And besides these look downright delicious.
Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry recently posted..Apple Peanut Butter Crumble
I’m like you, if I am going eat dessert, I’m going to go all out! I usually avoid skinny desserts, but since this is “skinny-ish”, then I’ll dig right in! Love the chocolate heart.
Ha! I’m the same way about desserts except when I’m training for a race. Then I like to keep things a bit healthier.
I love the sounds and looks of these Aimee and I can’t believe the cupcakes are only cake mix and cherry pie filling and eggs?? And with these, I can eat more than one. I love cherries!
sally @ sallys baking addiction recently posted..chocolate chip cherry sweet rolls.
I love cherries too! Which is why your sweet rolls are haunting me!
aimee @ shugarysweets recently posted..Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Dip
For me I love the skinner desserts! Not because of the calories, well kind of, because I can’t eat just one of anything! lol Your cupcakes are simply adorable and look so good! Perfect for V-day!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers recently posted..National Peanut Butter Day and a KIND Giveaway!
Skinny cupcakes? I love you!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Happy Birthday: Funfetti Bubblegum Cake
Now those are some super lovely cupcakes! Absolutely perfect for valentine’s day.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) recently posted..Candied Yampanadas
All of your cupcakes look so delicious. I just found your blog. Your recipes and pictures are wonderful. I look forward to following you. Blessings, Diane Roark http://www.recipesforourdailybread.com
These are so pretty! Not totally “skinny,” but who cares because I’m sure they’re delicious!!
Sues recently posted..Conversation Heart Confetti Marshmallow Cookies
The cupcakes are so adorable with the little chocolate hearts on top! I made decorations similar to that a couple years ago for chocolate mint cupcakes. Thanks for all the other “skinny” dessert ideas, too!
This sounds like such a delicious idea for skinnier cupcakes. In fall I mixed pumpkin puree with a cake mix and it was one of the best (though low fat) cakes I ever had
Regina @ SpecialtyCakeCreations recently posted..No Bake – PB Oatmeal Berry Bites
Love how you topped the cupcakes with chocolate hearts!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction recently posted..Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies
Thanks Jessica! they are so easy to make!
aimee @ shugarysweets recently posted..Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Dip
Chocolate banana eggrolls looks so good! Great pictures.
these would not be “skinny” for me. I don’t think I could stop at just 1!
a farmer in the dell recently posted..roasted carrot and dill pesto pasta
i’m so intrigued by that cherry pie filling addition. Gotta try it!
Roxana | Roxana’s Home Baking recently posted..Flatbread with roasted tomatoes
I do this often! I actually have a stoneware bundt pan (from pampered chef) and I make cakes in the microwave: 1 box mix, 1 can pie filling, 3 eggs: microwave 12 minutes. I wish everyone had a stoneware bundt pan, haha. But since they don’t I had to make it in the oven…still comes out fantastic (in cupcake form)!! And you can substitute any flavor combo you like. One of my favorites is Lemon cake with lemon pie filling!
I LOVE to make these. I made some yesterday and have already received an order from a friend for two dozen of these badboys. Try these substitutions-
instead of the vanilla pudding use french vanilla, and I also found that the “dark sweet“cherry pie filling(Comstock is the brand I like to use) is alot better to make cake with. It’s sweeter
And with chocolate sprinkles on top they’re really cute
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