Cupcake insert gives food split personality

Wilton’s Sweet Surprises Cupcake Insert makes use of two cake batters and a cupcake tin to make what Wilton calls “exciting multicolored and multiflavored cupcakes.”

How it works: The 11-1/4-inch plastic tool has a row of three double rings and is meant to fit in three cupcake cavities at a time. One flavor of batter is poured into the center rings, the other flavor into the outer circles. When the insert is slowly removed, the batters stay in place, creating two-tone cupcakes. The insert is then moved into the next row of three, and the process is repeated.

Does it work?: Yes, with a tweak. The directions imply the insert will fit any regular-size cupcake pan. It doesn’t. In my pan the middle cupcake turned out fine, but the end cupcakes were off-center.

My brilliant cousin Taryn figured out that we only needed to use one end of the insert — that is, one double ring — to fill the cupcake cavities one by one. It didn’t take any longer because we would have to fill each hole individually no matter how we used the device.

Tips: It’s easier to fill the center rings first, using a decorating bag, measuring cup with a spout or squeeze bottle. Using a spoon becomes messy. Hold the insert firmly when filling the first cupcake cavity. This keeps batter from seeping into the wrong area. This isn’t a problem with later cupcakes because the batter left on the ring helps form a seal.

Choose two cake mixes that call for the same oven temperature and baking times that are close. In my test I continued baking until a toothpick came out clean — longer than one of the mixes recommended.

The end result was still moist and delicious. If instead of buying two cake mixes, you’d like to use a single yellow or white cake mix, color a quarter of the batter another hue for the cupcake centers. You can always color more if needed.

Pros: Produces cute cupcakes with minimal effort. Easy to clean and use, with a little practice. Children can have fun making and eating these cupcakes. If two children are working together, have the older one fill the outer circle (harder to do) and the younger one fill the center.

Cons: An indentation on the center ring serves as a fill line, but that line becomes hard to see once the batters are poured in. You’ll have to eyeball it, trying to fill each cavity two-thirds full.

Cost and availability: I paid around $6 at Kapolei Kmart. The item is also available online for $5.99 at walmart.com, amazon.com and wilton.com. Buy it in a set with Wilton’s cupcake pan for around $20 at various sites.

Worth it?: Yes.

Got a gadget that you love? Curious about one you’d like us to test? Email crave@staradvertiser.com or write Crave, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza Suite 210, Honolulu 96813.