Decadent Vanilla Raspberry Jam Cupcakes – Easy Semi-Homemade Cupcake Recipe

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Last Updated on June 26, 2021 by Alaina Bullock

These Vanilla Raspberry Jam Cupcakes are the ultimate raspberry and vanilla indulgence. Moist vanilla cupcakes are topped with fresh raspberry jam, then crowned with a silky smooth, sweet homemade Vanilla Buttercream frosting. Fresh mint and a raspberry or two provide the garnish for these irresistible cupcakes.

There’s just something so good about vanilla and raspberry together and the combination works perfectly in these decadent cupcakes. Soft, moist vanilla cupcakes, sweet raspberry jam, and silky, smooth homemade vanilla buttercream frosting. Yummyyyy! If you are a vanilla and raspberry fan, then these Vanilla Raspberry Jam Cupcakes are the cupcakes for you!

Making cupcakes from scratch can be deliciously rewarding. And while I’ve come up with some amazing recipes – like these Lavender Vanilla Cupcakes (my most popular cupcake recipe!) or these oh-so-good Samoa Cupcakes – there’s also something to be said about the simplicity and quickness of using a boxed mix instead.

This easy Raspberry Jam-Topped Cupcake recipe takes a boring boxed cake mix and turns it into a decadent masterpiece! They’ll never believe it came from a box.

Making Jam-Topped Raspberry Cupcakes

Making these Vanilla Raspberry Jam-Topped Cupcakes is as easy as baking the cupcakes, dipping them into the jam, then topping them with the frosting and garnishes.

Of course, you could always use a homemade vanilla cupcake recipe along with a homemade raspberry jam recipe. However, for the sake of simplicity, I decided to make these fruity cupcakes with a box mix and a jar of raspberry jam.

And to make things even easier, here are two of my favorite handy tips that you can use when making any kind of cupcakes:

Handy Tips for Making Picture-Perfect Cupcakes

1. When filling cupcake papers use a medium-sized ice cream scoop. One scoop is just the right amount per cupcake.
2. After cooking your cupcakes in the liner, place another one over it for a Pinterest-perfect look!

So, are you ready to get started?

Vanilla Raspberry Jam Cupcakes

This recipe makes 18 Cupcakes

Tools to Make Cupcakes

• cupcake liners
• cupcake pan – this one is my favorite!
• 1 piping bag fitted with a star tip – love this icing bag and tip set!
• mixing bowls
• stand mixer or hand mixer

Ingredients to Make Vanilla Raspberry Jam Cupcakes

For the Cupcakes:

• vanilla cake mix
• eggs
• whole milk
• softened unsalted sweet cream butter
• Raspberry Jam or Preserves (or a recipe like this one for homemade raspberry filling)
• pure vanilla bean paste

For the Frosting (yields 4½ cups, enough for 24 cupcakes)

•  unsalted sweet cream butter, COLD, cut into pieces
• powder sugar
• heavy whipping cream
• vanilla extract
• pinch of salt – optional, cuts the sweetness
• fresh raspberries, for garnishing
• fresh mint, for garnishing

How to Make Vanilla Raspberry Jam Cupcakes

For the Cupcakes

• Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F, and fill the cupcake pan with liners.
• In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix, butter, milk, and vanilla bean paste and mix until completely combined.
• Using a medium ice cream scoop, scoop the batter into the cupcake liners and fill about ¾ of the way full.
• Bake for about 20 – 21 minutes.
• Remove from oven and place to the side to cool.

For the Frosting

• Using either the paddle attachment of a stand mixer or a hand mixer, whip the butter pieces for 5-7 minutes, scraping down the bowl occasionally. The butter will begin to look light in color.
• On low speed, add in 2 cups of the powdered sugar, mixing until completely incorporated into the butter.
• Next, add in 2 tsp of vanilla extract and mix to combine. Beat for about 60 seconds.
• Then add in an additional 2 cups of powdered sugar and beat on low speed until the powdered sugar is completely mixed in.
• Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for an additional 3 minutes.
• Now, add in the last cup of powdered sugar along with 2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream and ½ tsp of vanilla extract.
• Continue beating on low speed until the ingredients begin to mix together, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat for another 3-5 minutes. This will whip additional air into the frosting making it airy and light – perfect for piping onto cupcakes!
• Scoop the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a star tip and set it to the side.

For the Raspberry Topping

• Scoop some raspberry jam into a microwave safe bowl.
• Microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds.
• Stir the jam to check its consistency. If the jam does not ooze off the spoon similar to lava, place it back into the microwave for another 5 to 15 seconds.

Putting It All Together

• Once the jam has thinned, dip each cupcake into it. Or you can use a spoon to add some to each cupcake.
• Let the dipped cupcakes sit for about 5 to 10 minutes before piping on the frosting.
• Garnish with a fresh raspberry or two and a mint leaf.

And there you have it – delicious and amazing-looking Vanilla Raspberry Jam Cupcakes! Now all that’s left is to enjoy!

More Delicious Cupcake Recipes

If you liked this Vanilla Raspberry Jam Cupcakes recipe, then I bet you will love these other delicious cupcakes recipes!

Milky Way Cupcakes

Coca-Cola Cupcakes

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

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Printable Recipe – Vanilla Raspberry Jam Cupcakes