STRAWBERRY PRESERVE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and line 2 muffin pans with paper baking cups.
• In a large bowl, combine cake mix, sour cream, eggs and water. Stir with a spoon and/or whisk until well blended.
• Fill paper-lined muffin cups 1/2 full with batter. Using a spoon, make a slight indentation in the center of each cup; fill with a heaping 1/2 teaspoonful of strawberry preserves.
• Spoon remaining batter evenly over each filled cup; covering preserves. (Muffin cups should be about 3/4 full).
• Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. If toothpick goes through preserves, it will not come out clean.
• Cool for 1 minute and remove from pan. Cool completely before adding icing and toppings as desired. Store in the refrigerator.
• Topping Options: Add your favorite icing: Cream cheese icing, strawberry frosting or white confetti icing are all perfect for your cupcakes and festive for the holiday. For a special touch, try one of these topping suggestions:
• White chocolate shavings. Use a vegetable peeler to create white chocolate shavings using a thick, room-temperature bar of white chocolate.
• White icing is your canvas. With red or pink decorative icing, write fun messages or draw hearts on the white icing.
• Candy toppings. Top your icing with red cinnamon candies, mini chocolate chips, conversation hearts or even try sticking strawberry flavored licorice or hard candies in the top.