Your kids need to try these Cheeto Cupcakes! A subtle vanilla cupcake is topped with a cream cheese frosting and all the Cheetos crumbs! They are sweet and cheesy in the best way. If you love easy desserts that start with cake mix and you're a secret junk food fan, this is a dessert recipe you need to try!
This Cheetos Cupcake Recipe is the type of dessert recipe that gets passed around to friends because it’s that good and totally unique.
It’s also the type of thing that earns you points with your kids! And let's face it, we're always trying to make the kids happy.
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Why this recipe works
I’m going to be honest with you, when I was trying to figure out if Cheetos Cupcakes would turn out and actually be good, I wasn't sure. I love desserts and junk food, so it made sense in my head.
I know what you're thinking. WHAT?! But these cupcakes are intense in the best possible way!
Sprinkles had a Flamin' Hot Cheeto Cupcakes a while ago. And while I didn't get a chance to try one, I know they were probably amazing!
I know what you're still thinking, how on earth can something as cheesy as a Cheetos be part of something as delicate as a cupcake?
When you eat a bag full of Cheetos they have a really strong flavor (and leave you with the craziest orange fingers), when you eat just one or two, they're pretty subtle.
Related: Cheetos and Rosemary Goat Cheese Log
I really think there is something on the outside of the Cheetos that makes your tongue take notice. But when you crush them up, they mellow out.
After you have a Cheeto cupcake for the first time there’s no going back. They are good! And weird.
It's the type of weird that has you going back for seconds but questioning yourself the whole time.
Give these Cheeto Cupcakes a try and let me know what you think!
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- boxed cake mix
- eggs
- oil
- milk
- sour cream
- Cheetos
Eggs, oil and milk are pretty standard additions to a boxed cake mix. You can of course make your own, but I find the results from boxed cake mix much quicker and more consistent.
It's super easy to change up cake flavors, you know, like adding CHEETOS!
Sour cream helps to make cupcakes moist without thinning the cake batter.
Cheetos crumbs give the batter a unique flavor. Putting extra crumbs on top makes sure that everyone knows what type of cupcake they are eating.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- butter
- vegetable shortening (optional, but I find it helps stabilize it)
- confectioners sugar (also known as powdered sugar)
- heavy cream
- salt
- vanilla extract
- cream cheese
Cream cheese is what sets this frosting recipe apart. It pairs well with the slight cheese flavor from the Cheetos.
How to make Cheetos Cupcakes
Step 1
To turn your Cheetos into crumbs there are a few different options.
The easiest is to grab a small food processor and blend them up. But if you hate the idea of washing equipment, you can put some in a zipper baggie and beat the heck out of it with a rolling pin.
Step 2
Next, make the cupcakes.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
Combine the boxed cake mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, milk, Cheetos. Mix with a hand mixer for 4 minutes or until everything is well incorporated.
Divide the batter, evenly, between the cupcake liners.
Bake for 5 minutes then turn the temperature down to 350 degrees. Bake an additional 10 more minutes or until done.
Remove from the oven and let them cool completely before frosting.
How to make Cream Cheese Frosting
There are probably a million recipes online but I love to keep things simple around here so I use my Very Best Vanilla Frosting as a base.
I just subtract half of the butter the recipe calls for and add the same amount of cream cheese. That’s it, simple and to the point.
And while I usually love to add some lemon zest or lemon juice to cream cheese frosting in this case I prefer to omit it and let all the cheese flavor shine.
That makes the Cheetos on top feel cohesive with the cupcake and not introduce fruit... ew.
Decorate with the cream cheese frosting and top with Cheetos crumbs.
Seriously, it sounds weird, but they're remarkably good. Even if you don't love the flavor it's something you need to make for your kids at least once.
Top Tips
- You can easily substitute Hot Cheetos in this recipe if you want to add a little heat!
- Use a very light vanilla cake mix. You don’t want to use yellow cake or a super sweet cake mix here. Go with something subtle.
- Also don’t add any additional vanilla to the cupcake base because it can be a little bit too much with the Cheetos. Trust me on that one.
- The best frosting combination is cream cheese frosting. I tested this recipe with vanilla frosting and with chocolate frosting and both were slightly off. Cream cheese, on the other hand, gives the cupcakes a tangy, creamy punch that goes so well with the Cheetos.
- And finally don’t go all out with the Cheetos. Add some crumbs and that’s it. There’s such a thing as too many Cheetos (I never thought I would say that!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you want to make these hotter, substitute regular Cheetos for Flamin' Hot.
Store the cupcakes in an air-tight container in the fridge (especially if frosted). If topped with Cheetos, they may lose their crunch.
This Cheetos dessert will stay fresh for about 2 days if using some as a garnish. They will last longer without. I would eat them within 2-3 days of making.
A few more easy dessert recipes you might enjoy
- Patriotic Angel Food Cake Cupcakes with Fresh Berries
- Birthday Sprinkle Cupcakes with Boxed Mix (with sprinkles inside!)
- Piñata Cupcakes with Sprinkles Inside Recipe
- Best Pineapple Dump Cake Cupcakes with Cherry Pie Filling
- Easy Angel Food Cake Desserts
- Pineapple Cupcakes
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Cheeto Cupcakes
Ingredients
To Make the Cheeto Cupcakes
- 15.25 ounces cake mix (white cake, or as plain as possible)
- 3 eggs
- ⅓ cup oil
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup Cheetos crumbs + extra Cheetos to decorate
Cream Cheese Frosting
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup vegetable shortening
- 4 cups confectioners sugar
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
- Combine the cake mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, milk and Cheetos crumbs in a large bowl.
- Use a hand mixer and mix for 4 minutes or until everything is well incorporated.
- Divide the batter, evenly, between the cupcake liners.
- Bake for 5 minutes then turn down the temperature to 350 degrees.
- Bake for 10 more minutes or until done.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool completely before frosting.
For the Frosting
- In a large bowl whip the butter, vegetable shortening, cream cheese and salt until light and fluffy, around 7 minutes.
- Add half the confectioners sugar and whip up until fluffy.
- Add vanilla extract and half the heavy cream and mix until fluffy.
- Repeat the process, alternating between sugar and cream and whip up for 3 more minutes until it’s light and airy.
- Decorate the Cheetos Cupcakes with the cream cheese frosting and top with Cheetos crumbs.
Notes
- You can easily substitute Hot Cheetos in this recipe if you want to add a little heat!
- Use a very light vanilla cake mix. You don’t want to use yellow cake or a super sweet cake mix here. Go with something subtle.
- Also don’t add any additional vanilla to the cupcake base because it can be a little bit too much with the Cheetos. Trust me on that one.
- The best frosting combination is cream cheese frosting. I tested this recipe with vanilla frosting and with chocolate frosting and both were slightly off. Cream cheese, on the other hand, gives the cupcakes a cheesy punch that goes so well with the Cheetos.
- And finally don’t go all out with the Cheetos. Add some crumbs and that’s it. There’s such a thing as too many Cheetos ( I never thought I would say that).
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