Sunshine & Strawberries

     Nothing says summertime like the taste of a juicy red strawberry.  They are in peak season here in our region and they are ripe for the picking.  I love to pair my strawberries with chocolate. Actually, I like to pair pretty much everything with chocolate!  It's a  flavour combination made for savouring. 

 

     These cupcakes are moist and delicious and the strawberry buttercream  is the icing on the cake; literally and figuratively!  The strawberry puree flavours the buttercream and turns it a beautiful shade of pink.  Whip up a batch of these cupcakes and enjoy the taste of summer.

Strawberries & Chocolate Cupcakes

For the cupcakes you will need:
 

1 Box chocolate devil's food cake mix

1/2 cup melted butter, cooled 

3 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup sour cream

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line pans with cupcake liners (the prettier the better!)
• Sift cake mix into a small bowl and set aside
• Combine all other cake ingredients in a large bowl and mix until well combined
• Stir in cake mix until smooth
• Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake for 17-22 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean

For the chocolate ganache you will need:

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 heaping amount of self control so as not to lick the bowl clean!

• Place chocolate chips is a heat proof bowl and add heavy cream
• Microwave for 20 seconds, remove and stir
• Continue to microwave in small increments until mixture becomes smooth and creamy
• Dip the tops of the cooled cupcakes into the ganache and let set while you make the frosting

For the strawberry buttercream you will need:
 

3/4 cup butter, softened

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

2-4 tbsp strawberry puree (put a handful or two of strawberries in a blender and puree until they reach a liquid consistency - be sure the lid is secured tightly!)

3-4 cups powdered sugar

Fresh sliced strawberries to garnish

 

• Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth
• Add vanilla extract and 2 tbsp. strawberry puree
• Slowly add powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency
• If mixture becomes too thick, add more strawberry puree
• Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and top with sliced strawberries