Strawberry Cupcakes

These are the moist, fluffy, strawberry cupcakes which can be accompanied by the creamiest, fluffiest, chocolate buttercream frosting. Strawberry cakes that have a delicious texture typically rely on artificial flavors. To make the homemade strawberry cupcakes extra special, you can top them with white chocolate strawberry frosting made from pure white chocolate and freeze-dried strawberries. You can also make the frosting with dark chocolate and promise you won’t be disappointed.

The first step is to grab fresh strawberries, puree them into a liquid, then reduce the puree down on the stove for about 20 minutes. That is heavily concentrated pure strawberry flavor– about 1/4 cup of reduced strawberry puree.

Ingredients:

• 1 and 3/4 cups (200g) cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 3 egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup (60g) sour cream or plain yogurt, at room temperature
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup (80ml) whole milk, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup reduced strawberry puree
  White Chocolate Strawberry Frosting
• 1 cup (10-12g) freeze-dried strawberries
• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 cups (240g) confectioners’ sugar
• 6 ounces (170g) white chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
• 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream, half-and-half, or milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions;

1. Make the reduced strawberry puree and allow it to cool completely. See note for instruction.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Line a second pan with 2-3 liners – this recipe makes 14-15 cupcakes. Set aside.
3. Whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
4. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until smooth and creamed, about 2 minutes.
5. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in the egg whites on high speed until combined, about 2 minutes.
6. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients until just incorporated.
7. With the mixer still running on low, slowly pour and mix in the milk until combined. Do not overmix.
8. Whisk in 1/4 cup of reduced strawberry puree, making sure there are no lumps at the bottom of the bowl. The batter will be slightly thick.
9. Pour/spoon the batter into the liners. Fill only 2/3 full to avoid baking over the sides. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. For around 35 mini cupcakes, bake for about 11-13 minutes, same oven temperature.
10. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
    Make the frosting: Using a blender or food processor, process the freeze-dried strawberries into a powdery crumb. You should have around 1/2 cup.
11. Set aside. In a large bowl using a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on high speed until completely smooth and creamy.
12. Add the confectioners’ sugar, strawberry powder, melted and cooled white chocolate, 2 Tablespoons heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt and beat on medium-high speed until combined and creamy.
13. Add 2 more Tablespoons of heavy cream to slightly thin out, if desired. Taste, then add another pinch of salt if desired.
14. Frost cooled cupcakes and serve. I used Wilton 8B piping tip and nestled a white chocolate covered strawberry in the center.
15. Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.