2.07.2012

Strawberry Surprise Cupcakes

I am baking some cupcakes for my sister. She likes strawberry so I'm trying something different.

CUPCAKE RECIPE

You will need:
•eggs
•sugar
•all-purpose flour
•baking powder
•butter
•milk
•vanilla extract
•orange extract (optional)
•strawberries (or fruit of choice)

You're gonna need two separate bowls to start out. Preheat your oven to 325.

In the first bowl with a mixer beat four whole eggs for four to five minutes. Add two cups of sugar, beat on low for thirty seconds, then high for another four to five minutes. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a half a teaspoon of orange extract (optional).

In a separate bowl sift two cups of all-purpose flour, two teaspoons of baking powder, and a quarter teaspoon of salt.

Meanwhile, mix quarter cup of butter (half of a stick) and a cup of milk in a pot. Slowly bring it to a boil. Let it cool.

Take the dry mix and slowly pour into the first bowl while mixing on low. Mix till it is combined. It will seem pretty thick, but don't worry.

Once it's all combined pour in the cooled down butter/milk. Mix till it is combined.

Once you've lined your cupcake holders fill about 2/3- less if you want puny cupcakes, more for some monster-size cupcakes. Once this is done cut the tops off the strawberries, if necessary. You can use fresh, thawed, or frozen. Push into the center of the cupcakes. Now you're ready to bake!

I always bake my cupcakes on the center rack. Habit. And I don't keep track of time, which doesn't help you any. This is what I do..

Each oven is different, so keep an eye on the cupcakes. Since it is technically a spongecake you can tell when it's done by pressing the top of it and it would, in a sense, bounce back or you can do the toothpick test. I usually check it around the time my house smells like cupcakes.

And voila! Strawberry Surprise Cupcakes by Ashlea and James :) Wait till they cool before you put your frosting on.

FROSTING RECIPE

You will need:
•powdered sugar
•two sticks of butter (room temp)
•vanilla extract
•whipping cream

In a bowl you will mix three cups of powdered sugar and the two sticks of butter. Make sure the two sticks of butter are at room temperature. This is extremely important.

Beat on low until it is combined, then on high speed for about three minutes.

Add in a teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix until it's combined. For a different flavor try another extract instead of vanilla. That's the beauty of baking :)

Now add in two tablespoons of whipping cream while mixing on medium speed. You can add more if you want.

Now frost those cupcakes and enjoy!

*To switch it up a bit, use blueberries or other fruits instead of strawberries.

**if you do not like spongecake you will not enjoy these cupcakes.

***Will make about two dozen cupcakes, or two 8-inch cakes.

ENJOY! <3