Black Forest Cupcakes

Made for work.....a real hit. Dark chocolate cake with cherry pie filling in the centre and swathed with vanilla butter cream, laced with real cream.

BLACK FOREST CUPCAKES ( double batch)
4 cups flour
1 1/3 cups cocoa
2 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cup shortening
3 cups  sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups water

Stir all dry stuff together, then beat shortening about 30 seconds. Gradually add suga, and cream 2 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time. Add sour cream and vanilla. On a low speed add dry ingredients till JUST blended. Pile into muffin cups and bake at 350 about 18 minutes. Check close to the time to see if done, or if more time should be added.
  
When cooled. Cut out centre of each cupcake, spoon in cherry pie filling, replace top, cover with a good creamy frosting of your choosing, OR, pile high with whipped cream. I prefer the whip cream. Decorate as desired........share with some very lucky people.