Breast Cancer Cupcakes: Strawberry Sweetness

A few years ago I snagged a Strawberry Cupcake from Sprinkles in honor of breast cancer.  They had cute little fondant ribbons on top.  I've since seen the Strawberry cupcake recipe online, so I decided I needed to try it out, with a little twist for the top. 

Pink cupcakes are in season any month of the year, but pink takes on a new meaning during the month of October. 

Below are the ingredients for the cupcakes, the cupcakes are a little less moist than a like them, but add the sweet icing and they balance each other out well.  The recipe makes 12 cupcakes.  I cannot verify what happened to cupcake number 12. 

Ingredients for the Cupcakes:

2/3 cup whole fresh or frozen strawberries, thawed (I used fresh), 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1/2 cup butter, room temperature, 1 cup sugar, 1 large egg, room temperature, 2 large egg whites, room temperature
Instructions for the Cupcakes:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.
2.  Place strawberries in a small food processor; process until pureed. You should have about 1/3 cup of puree, add a few more strawberries if necessary or save any extra puree for frosting; set aside (1 carton of strawberries was more than enough).
3.  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla, and strawberry puree; set aside.
4.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.
5.  With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.
6.  Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in tin before icing.

Ingredients for Frosting (This frosting is am-az-ing!):
1/2 cup whole frozen strawberries, thawed (I used the puree I made from the fresh strawberries),  1 cup (2 sticks) butter, firm and slightly cold,  Pinch of salt,  3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, siftedm,  1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions for Frosting: 
Place strawberries in the bowl of a small food processor; process until pureed. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat until well combined. Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons strawberry puree (save any remaining strawberry puree for another use); mix until just blended. Do not overmix or frosting will incorporate too much air. Frosting consistency should be dense and creamy, like ice cream.

I added a swirl of icing (the recipe makes PLENTY of icing), and then dipped strawberries in chocolate and popped them on top. 

Linking To:

Hoosier Homemade