I am new to filling cupcakes - I've only done it once before and I'm still not sure what consistency to use so it doesn't soak into the cupcake if sitting for a day or two. I was thinking pudding or possibly Cool Whip or a combination of the two or just a plain mousse. Would any of these work?

Also, when I did them last time, I ended up filling most of them too much and they cracked down the top (used the bismark tip). I found that I didn't know when I had enough in there and I didn't want them to not have enough filling. Any tips?

Thanks and I apologize if these questions are already covered somewhere.

pudding and fruit fillings will soak into the cupcake after a couple days.

some people swear by using an apple corer and removing a central "core" of the cupcake and then fill that with filling, some will use just the top of the "cored piece" and replace it on top, others just swirl the icing up there because nobody will know the difference when they eat it. That way, you can see exactlly how much filling you've got going in there!

Thanks for the help! I think I'll try the apple corer technique.

I like to make chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese filling. I also use a large star tip. Make sure the cupcakes are totally cooled. Just stick the star tip in the top of the cupcake and squeeze until you see the cupcake just starting to expand. No need to remove any of the cupcake. Put a swirl of whatever kind of icing you want on top.

I do the apple corer thing and it works great. I also put the top of the cored piece back on, especially if the filling is very different from the frosting. KHalstead is right that pudding will soak into the cupcake after a couple of days. A nice thick ganache or caramel is a great filling!