We have Hailey to thank for this recipe. She and Ella turned 5 this month. I know, I can’t believe it either, they’re growing up way too fast as all children do! We told them they could have a party and invite all their friends from preschool (actually, they told us and we agreed but I don’t want to seem like a pushover). So, the planning began…It was decided that the party would be at their gymnastics place and the theme would be fairies and butterflies. Ella contributed most of the ideas and input which involved many bedtime conversations about whether I had booked the venue, what guests had RSVP’d, what snacks to serve, and what we would put in the boys’ goody bags because they would NOT want what the girls had. I have to say, it was a lot of pressure and I can only imagine how much of nightmare she’ll be as a bride someday. On the other hand, Hailey had only one request, strawberry cupcakes.
Here are my precious birthday girls
Strawberry Cupcakes
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 TB baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup strawberry puree (instructions below)
1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk w/1/2 TB vinegar)\
Frosting
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/3 cup strawberry puree
2TB milk
Strawberry Puree
16 ounces fresh (stems removed) or frozen (thawed) strawberries
In a medium saucepan, over med-high heat, combine pureed berries, 1/4 cup sugar, and the juice of one-half lemon. Bring to a boil, allow to boil for @ 5 minutes, until mixture begins to thicken slightly.
Remove from heat and allow to cool completely
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 2 cupcake pans with liners (this should yield 24 cupcakes)
Sift flours, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl, set aside.
Beat butter and sugar until well combined.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla.
Add 1/3 of the flour mixture, mix until combined, add buttermilk, mix until combined, add another 1/3 of the flour mixture, mix until combined
add strawberry puree, mix until combined
finish with last 1/3 of the flour mixture and mix well.
Fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full of batter
Beat 2 cups powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and salt until well combined.
Alternately, a little at a time, add strawberry puree, milk and remaining powdered sugar until you achieve desired taste and consistency.
Mix until frosting is light and fluffy.
Frost to your heart’s content and put on lots of sprinkles (Ella & Hailey’s suggestion, they love their sprinkles!)
If you have a piping bag and a large star tip, you can make them fancy like I did for the birthday party. I sort of prefer the old-fashioned frosted look though.
Happy Valentines Day!
“The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all…”
Creed/Masser
Sung by the great Whitney Houston
It’s true that it’s the greatest love… unfortunately, it’s not usually easy.
RIP Whitney Houston.
Thank you for the music!
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