Yes, barbecue cupcakes. The original recipe for this (I believe it came from Taste of Home) was entitled "farmhouse barbecue muffins". But in this family, we believe in inserting dessert conceptually wherever we can. So, they're barbecue cupakes.
They are delicious and easy. They're perfect for a family meal, but they're also a fun party food. Here's the scoop:
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef, cooked
1 cup bbq sauce or sloppy joe sauce, whichever you prefer
1 can of LAYERED refrigerated biscuits (not the little tiny packages, the bigger one. I use Grands.)
About 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
Cook beef, drain, mix with bbq sauce. Set aside.
Carefully pull apart layers of biscuits, so that each biscuit is now in two pieces, like this:
Roll out layers with a rolling pin, until they make a 10-12" circle.
Spray the insides of a muffin pan. Insert one flattened biscuit into each cup, like this:
In each little pastry shell, spoon in about 1 tbsp of beef mixture. It will look this:
Afterwards, sprinkle cheese on top, because if a recipe doesn't say "sprinkle cheese on top", then you should run the other way:
Bake in a 350 oven for 8-12 minutes, take it out, and then you just tell me this isn't the cutest little thing you've ever seen:
Oh, we love these around here!~ So easy and yummmy!
Posted by: Grateful for Grace | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 07:41 AM
my mom used to make these...i'd forgotten about them! thanks!
Posted by: HeresTheDiehl | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 07:44 AM
Yum! How did you know I have ground beef in the fridge that I need to use?
Posted by: Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Heart | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 07:44 AM
My family enjoys these, also.
Another variation: use pizza sauce and top with mozzarella.
Posted by: Amy | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 07:46 AM
OH MY! I'm trying these TONIGHT! They look delicious!!! My mouth is literally watering... Now I'm hungry. Thanks alot...
Posted by: Jenny | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 07:51 AM
oohhh...totally making these this weekend! thanks! we also agree about inserting dessert conceptually whenever possible - at Lonestar this weekend when they brought out the bread and butter, my 2.5 year old declared it to be cake and ice cream, so we all ate "dessert" first. :-)
Posted by: jennie | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:02 AM
I so have to try this! looks good!
Posted by: Lorraine | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:17 AM
If you cut the biscuits (or those new crescent squares) into quarters you can use a mini muffin pan and make them into party poppers as well!
Posted by: Amy | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Whoa, great idea. I'm emailing this to my wife to see if we can have these for dinner... ASAP!
Posted by: Jeff Goins | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Yummy! I'll be adding this to my recipe stash!
Posted by: MamaHenClucks | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:34 AM
OOOH, The Pirates are gonna love this!
Posted by: Mother Hen | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:49 AM
Oh. My. Word. Husband will LOVE these!
Posted by: Superchikk | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:56 AM
These sound wonderful! My girlfriend had told me about these forever ago, but of course I forgot about them.
Thanks for the how-to pics. Are these actually you, cause if so...I LOVE your plate!
Posted by: MommaChelle | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Another yummy variation is with cream of mushroom soup and some mixed vegetables...
Posted by: Amma | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:17 AM
This is definitely going on my menu. Looks so yummy!
Posted by: Jessica | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:18 AM
I don't think I'm fully awake. I kept reading and waiting to find out when you put them on a BBQ! Oh my.
They look yummy, we will try them, but first I need coffee...
Posted by: Lainie@ Mishmash Maggie | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:21 AM
I think I'll make these with homemade dough. I bet that would make them really economical!
Yum!
Mary
Posted by: owlhaven | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:24 AM
My husband LOVES these. I always have to make extras so that he can take them for lunch. :o)
Posted by: Gwendolyn | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:27 AM
OH YEAH! My kids and hubby are going to LOVE THIS!!!
Thank you!!
Traci Best
Posted by: Traci Best | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:28 AM
I made these a few months ago for a church potluck and they were a HIT--so much so that my kids wanted me to put them on our regular meal rotation!
Posted by: Kris | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:30 AM
My aunt has been making these for over 15 years and I luv finding them at every party she throws. They're so easy and yummy!
Plus she gave me any leftovers during my college. They're surprisingly taste when eaten cold between classes.
Posted by: T with Honey | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Well...that just looks too good to be true! I'll have to make these ASAP!
Posted by: Jennifer Griffin | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Oh boy! These look delish!
Posted by: Tracey | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:37 AM
I have made this over and over again.
I could just eat them all.
I like making these for foot ball parties.
Posted by: chocolatechic | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:41 AM
That looks so good!!! I'll be trying them soon!
Posted by: Monica | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:42 AM
I absolutely love Taste of Home! What a yummy recipe!
Posted by: Ashlee | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:43 AM
How cute and easy! Wonder how taco seasoning would work.
Posted by: Melanie | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:48 AM
I can so do these and I think my kids would love them! We may do them tonight!
Posted by: Valarie Lea | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:48 AM
LOOKS SO GOOD!!! Thank you!
Posted by: hannah | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:54 AM
These are so easy and taste wonderful. I have made them before but forgotten them until I saw your post. Big hit in my house.
Posted by: butler5 | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:02 AM
i wrote a post about these in august but mine weren't as pretty as yours b/c my two-year-old helper was especially generous with the shredded cheese. i grew up eating these and we called them "barbecue pop-ups". i add beans for some extra protein for my picky eaters.
http://www.chrysandmike.com/blog/2008/08/barbecue-pop-ups.html
Posted by: chrys | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Yum! My boys (all three of them) would love those.
BTW, when is someone going to invent disposable muffin tins?!
Posted by: Christine | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:09 AM
LOL - when I read the recipe title, I thought these were going to be cooked on the grill and I was all ready to hear about this, hee hee. These look fun and like a great kid food. :)
Posted by: Kathy C. | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Okay, I wanna know who thinks this stuff up! That looks CRAZY delicious! Uhmm, do you think it's on my diet?
Posted by: Shannon | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I have made these before, and they ROCK! However, we made them with beef and spagetti sauce, you spoon the meat and sauce into the biscuit cups, put a Tbsp. of ricotta cheese on top, and then put shredded cheese on top....VERY GOOD!!!!
Posted by: Kelly | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:23 AM
This looks so great. I hope you don't mind, but I copied it and posted it on my blog...Best Food on the Planet..., I gave you full credit with a link back to your page. But if you do mind, please let me know and I will take it down immediately. Either way, I really liked the creative new way to make great food.
Posted by: pokeyann | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Yum yum yum!!! I love getting recipes that actually "work" from fellow bloggers! Thank you Shannon!
Carrie
Posted by: Buzzings of a Queen Bee | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Terrific recipe; I can't wait to bring these to my Ladies Bible Study! Blessings, Whitney
Posted by: Whitney @ Baby Tunnel Exodus | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:56 AM
My Mom always made these "meat pies" for dinner on Halloween. She just substituted the grated cheese for a slice of American, which she cut into a circle with a biscuit cutter and then cut out triangle eyes and noses with a small knife. Cute and fun. It worked to get some dinner in us before the candy fest began.
Posted by: Kelly @ Love Well | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 11:12 AM
I forgot about these! Thanks for the reminder of doing a quick easy supper. Yummers. I use BBQ sauce, though. I am anti-sloppy joe sauce. Blech!
Posted by: Laurie Ann | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Someone brought these to us after my daughter was born. Thanks for the recipe!
Posted by: Angie @ Many Little Blessings | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Dinner tonight --> solved! Am I reading it correctly to roll them out into 10-12 inch circles? That seems huge!
Also, loved the comment about the slice of cheese on top with eyes and things cut out for Halloween! What a quick, and cute idea for the craziness that is pre trick or treat dinner.
Thanks!
Posted by: T. | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Fantastic! I can actually smell these. Nothing like melted cheddar to please a crowd. :~D
Posted by: e-Mom | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Hello! Thought I'd share this- Once, by mistake, I bought the Pillsbury Cornbread Biscuits to make these, and they turned out really well! Very yummy- :)
Posted by: Amy | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Two words:
Diner. Tonight.
:)
Posted by: kelli | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 11:55 AM
I love you! Thanks for being so much fun...and I'm gonna make these this week.
Posted by: Connie | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:02 PM
These look SO good! (And it looks relatively easy - perfect for a non-cook like me :)
My husband is going to love them!
Posted by: Tootie | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:03 PM
oohh, we love these! thanks for the reminder - i'll need to make them again : )
Posted by: Kristin | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:08 PM
we do a similar recipe (my MIL's) called sloppy joe turnovers. and instead of putting them in muffin tins, we seal the dough after we stuff it...kind of like a dumpling. i like the muffin tin idea...faster than sealing all the dough.
Posted by: prasti | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Oh, these look soooooo good -- I think its the perfect food for my next mentoring group meeting! The girls will devour them!
Now -- how about dessert???
Posted by: GiBee | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Cannot wait to try this recipe, we just had sloppy joe's last night,wish I had the recipe then. But now I will have it for a future dinner. Thanks for sharing this unusal cupcake
Posted by: Edwina | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I too thought when I saw the title on my google reader that I'd be learning how to make cupcakes on my grill!
The do sound delicious and easy... which totally "works for me" Will def try this week and on Halloween with the jack-o-lantern, twist!
Great ideas!! Thanks a ton!
Posted by: LifeatTheCircus | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:36 PM
I am certainly going to make these cuties!!!
Posted by: Cindy Anderson | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:39 PM
That is a very clever idea! I love taste of home! I love BBQ I love biscuits. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, oh did i mention I love cheese.
I just started the book Twilight! I am so excited!
Posted by: Happy Mommy | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Oh, yum, Shannon, those look great! Any recipe with 5 or fewer ingredients is an A plus in my book!
Posted by: marigold | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:47 PM
also good with a "south of the border" flair. Mix taco/burrito seasoning with meat. top with cheese. serve with sour cream, salsa, etc. It's been so long since I made them, however. . .can also use wonton wrappers, which is what my mil does.
Posted by: just another day in paradise | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:59 PM
What an ingenious way to cook them! I love the end result and I am going to have to try that! What a cool "company's coming" meal idea! :)
Posted by: Mrs. Q | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I make these all the time! I made them last week for a potluck and my dish was the first empty dish on the table. LOL
Posted by: Dot | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 01:41 PM
My older girls are doing all the cooking right now. They will be PSYCHED to try this out and, BONUS!, the little kids will probably eat them! Thank you, super genius virtual homie girlfriend!
Posted by: Clemntine | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 02:04 PM
i am hungry!
Posted by: amy | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 02:25 PM
So cute my mouth is watering! :) Yummy
Posted by: The Roost | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Oooh, they look SOOOOO good! I will definitely be trying these! Thanks for sharing! :D
Posted by: Lara | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Hmmm.... I wonder if you can use shredded chicken and crescent rolls?
I think I may have to try this.
Hugs,
Melinda
Posted by: Melinda | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 03:05 PM
"Cake! Err-buddy like cake!"
Posted by: Stretch Mark Mama | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 04:09 PM
I made these way back when in Home Ec during high school! I remember how delicious they were...thanks for the reminder. I'm going to have to make some for myself. ;P
Posted by: Sarah | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 04:24 PM
My husband LOVES these and requests them for his birthday, football games, Super Bowl party, etc.
In a pinch, I also used Lloyd's barbeque beef and use pepper jack to spice it up a little.
But really, you can't go wrong!
Posted by: Nicole@OnTheRun | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Looks yummy! Maybe with a side salad? Mmmm...
Posted by: Minnesotamom | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Yum! And very cute! And I like the idea of having dessert as part of the name.
Posted by: Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 06:26 PM
I made these a long time ago and the kids loved them. Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: Lynn | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 06:50 PM
I stopped by and read this, this morning and my oldest DD decided she wanted to make it. We had this tonight and it was AWESOME!!!!!
Posted by: Heather Salas | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 07:25 PM
These do look a lot better than the name implies. Dinner tonight.
Posted by: carol | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Thanks for the recipe! I used it tonight for my Tackle It Tuesday! We loved them!!
Posted by: Kelly's Krazy Kids | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Growing up my mom did the same thing except with canned chili and sliced american cheese on the top. It was easy and filling.
Posted by: Angela | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:05 PM
I have done a breakfast version w/ scrambled eggs w/ ham or sausage topped w/ cheese. It was delish!
I keep telling myself I want to make a big batch and freeze a bunch so I can take 'em out one or two at a time a reheat them for a quick breakfast.
Posted by: Wani | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:55 PM
I can't wait to make these barbecue cupcakes!!!
Posted by: britney | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:59 PM
I made these for my son'st third birthday party - which will soon be 10 years ago . . . .egads! Anyhoo, they were absolutely delicious and a major hit at the partay. I should make them again.
Posted by: Cheri | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:15 PM
I totally sensed you channeling The Pioneer Woman there. The hands, the plate.
Posted by: Stretch Mark Mama | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:59 PM
My mom used to make these--I'd forgotten about them, but so glad you posted it, because I think my kiddos would really like them! :)
Posted by: Melanie | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Cute
Posted by: Githe | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Thanks! I made these for dinner tonight (but I used spaghetti sauce instead of BBQ 'cause my hubby's not a fan of the BBQ sauce) and they were a hit with the whole family! That one's definitely going in my recipe box. :)
Posted by: Erica | Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Oh, my kids would love this! Thank you!
Posted by: Paige | Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Awesome! We never have our savory selection for high tea this afternoon! Looks wonderful. &:o)
Posted by: Lisa | Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Oops... Meant "we NOW have our savory..."
Posted by: Lisa | Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Found this recipe yesterday...made them last night and will love them forever!
Posted by: Litany | Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 10:37 AM
YUM! I would have never thought of that in a million years. I think those would be a big hit in our house. Thanks for posting the recipe. :)
Posted by: Kelli | Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 01:51 PM
That's so funny - the original recipe I saw they were called "Beefy Biscuit Cups." Not my idea of an appetizing name, personally. So we re-named them, as well. We use spaghetti sauce, and call them pizza muffins! They are SO yummy.
Posted by: Jodie | Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 03:03 PM
I would never have thought of using sloppy joe sauce - but sloppy joes are my sons favorite (the rest of us don't seem to mind them either) - so we should all enjoy this very much!!!
Posted by: sherrieb | Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 04:20 PM
These are a weekly staple for us, but my 'filling' is one can of canned chicken, one can of cream of chicken soup and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix those three ingredients and fill the 'cups'. We call them 'chicken things'...they are so stinkin' delicious!!!
Posted by: Lisa | Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Made these last night...they rock!
Posted by: Joshua | Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Hm - wonder if this would be good using taco-seasoned meat?! Perfectly easy finger food for gatherings! Thanks. Also, thanks for the Taste of Home link. I have a cookbook by them, but have never checked out their website. Great advanced search feature.
Posted by: Mrs. H | Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 07:35 PM
i made these for my family and some guests the other night. they were great, and fed 6 of us.
Posted by: elizabeth koproski | Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Delicious! Can't wait to try these soon!!!
Posted by: $5 Dinner Mom | Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 07:02 PM