Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes

We had a birthday party for someone in our house last week. She turned 5 and loves everything pink! I know it wont last for too much longer (even though I never stop liking pink), so we had a fun pink party. I had printed this recipe out a long time ago to try & thought it would work perfectly. Especially since you can get fresh strawberries right now! These cupcakes use a pound of pureed strawberries - so yummy.

We loved them and they were a big hit at the party! I used one of my very favorite buttercream frostings - it is so good and holds shape forever.

Strawberry & Cream Cupcakes

from Our Best Bites blog

2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 c. cake flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 sticks butter, softened

2 1/4 c. sugar

3 large eggs

1 egg white

1 c. buttermilk

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 lb. strawberries, pureed

A few drops of red food coloring

Buttercream Frosting

from Allrecipes

• 
  
• 2 cups shortening
• 8 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Preheat oven to 350. Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Whisk flour, cake flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).

Add eggs and egg white, one at a time, beating after every addition.

Reduce speed to low. Combine buttermilk and vanilla together and set aside. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk mixture; end with the dry ingredients. Fold in strawberries. If desired, add a few drops of red food coloring until a pretty pink color is reached. Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure everything has been mixed in. Divide batter among muffin cups (about 30), filling them almost all the way to the top.

Bake cupcakes until a knife inserted into the centers comes out clean, about 22-25 minutes. Allow to cool in muffin tins.

For the frosting, cream shortening until fluffy. Add sugar, and continue creaming until well blended. Add salt, vanilla, and 6 ounces whipping cream. Blend on low speed until moistened. Add additional 2 ounces whipping cream if necessary. Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.

I piped the frosting out with a pastry bag and then sprinkled with pink sprinkles!