CHERRY CHEESECAKE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Line 28 cupcake cups with paper liners.
• Prepare the filling: Place cream cheese in small mixing bowl and blend with an electric mixer. Add the sugar, egg and vanilla and continue to beat for 1 minute.
• Prepare the cupcake batter: Place the cake mix, pudding mix, milk, oil, eggs and almond extract in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mix on low for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides, increase speed to medium and beat for 2 more minutes.
• Place one vanilla wafer in the bottom of each cupcake liner. Spoon 1/4 cup batter on top of each wafer. Gently dollop 1 heaping tablespoon of filling on top of each cupcake. The cup will be nearly full. Do not shake the pans.
• Bake until the cupcakes are golden and spring back when touched, about 18 to 20 minutes. Cool in pans for 5 minutes.
• Remove from pans and cool on wire rack for 15 minutes before topping.
• Mist a teaspoon with vegetable oil spray and use this to press down on the cupcake to create an indentation. Place a heaping teaspoon of cherry pie filling in the well of each cupcake. Dust with powdered sugar.
• Store in the refrigerator.