Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

These are amazing!  I shared these and the Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting at a shower I had for a friend.  Both these cupcakes were a hit.  The frosting on these cupcakes is so amazingly wonderful :)  I make this recipe to fill 15 muffin cups.  When I did 12 they were too full.  Another option is to make 12 cupcakes and some minis, which are adorable!  -Kristin


1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon strawberry extract
2 egg whites
1/4 cup milk
2/3 cup pureed strawberries- (1/3 c. for cupcakes and 1/3 c. for frosting)

FROSTING:
1/4 cup softened butter
8 oz. softened cream cheese
1/3 cup pureed strawberries
2 teaspoon strawberry extract
5-6 cups powdered sugar

• Mix together the dry ingredients for the cupcakes and set aside.
• In a bowl beat together the butter and sugar.
• Beat in the eggs and strawberry extract.
• Stir the milk and pureed strawberries together.
• Then beat in some of the flour mixture alternating with the strawberry mixture.
• Fill 15 muffin tins with cupcake liners.  Spray the tops of the muffin pan with cooking spray just in case any bake over.
• Bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes.
• Cool completely and then frost.

• For frosting beat together the softened butter and cream cheese.  Add the extract and 1/3 c. pureed strawberries.  Then beat in the powdered sugar till desired consistency.