Surprise Cupcakes

Take these tender treats to your next get-together and watch faces light up after just one bite.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Yields: 36 cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1  cup shortening
• 2  cups sugar
• 2  eggs
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 5  teaspoons baking powder
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk
• 3⁄4 cup  strawberry jelly or 3⁄4 cup  grape jelly
•  vanilla frosting
•  colored sprinkles (optional)

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Fill 36 greased or paper-lined muffin cups half full. Spoon 1 teaspoon jelly in the center of each.
2. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted 1 inches from the edge comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Frost and decorate with sprinkles if desired.