Strawberry Valentine Cupcakes

I baked these up for my little Valentines. A simple white cake recipe with a little strawberry puree added, then frosted with a fresh strawberry cream cheese frosting.

2 3/4 cups sifted cake flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 egg whites
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 Cup strawberry puree (mashed & drained strawberries -save juice for another use)

Measure sifted flour, baking powder, and salt; sift together three times.
In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Add 1/2 cup sugar gradually, and continue beating only until meringue will hold up in soft peaks.
Cream butter or margarine. Gradually add remaining 1 cup sugar, and cream together until light and fluffy. Add sifted ingredients alternately with milk a small amount at a time, beating after each addition until smooth. Mix in vanilla and strawberry puree. Add meringue, and fold thoroughly into batter. Scoop batter into lined cupcake pans with a regular size ice cream scooper.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes. Cool cupcakes in pan 10 minutes, then remove from pan and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
~adapted from Allrecipes


Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz package of cream cheese, room temperature
2 oz butter, softened
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup pureed strawberries (see above)

Sift powdered sugar into a bowl.
Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed until creamy.
Add half of the sugar, beat until combined.
Add strawberries until you achieve the right color and flavor, making sure not to add too much or the frosting will be too soft.
Gradually add remaining sugar (more if you have to) until you get to the consistency and sweetness you like.
~ adapted from Couture Cupcakes











May you have a *Lovely* day! Enjoy,