Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry frosting

Two of our cousins graduated from college earlier this summer. They had a joint graduation party and I volunteered to bring cupcakes. When Aunt J said she wanted 6 dozen, I felt up to the challenge. I made 3 flavors – strawberry, champagne, and Oreo.

These strawberry cupcakes lived up to everything I’ve read about them in various other blogs that I follow. They are very moist and strawberry-ey. They are a perfect summer cupcake.

Angie’s Famous Strawberry Cupcakes – from Katie’s blog
2 1/2 c. cake flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. unsalted butter
1 1/2 c. sugar (or a little less)
2 eggs
1/3 c. buttermilk
1/4 c. oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c. chopped strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 2 cupcake pans.

Sift flour, salt, and baking soda in medium bowl.

In bowl of mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time until combined. Add buttermilk, oil and vanilla until combined. Add flour mixture and stir until just combined.

Fold in berries. Fill cupcake pans 3/4 way. Bake for 20 minutes.

Strawberry cream cheese frosting – from Katie’s blog
1/4 c. strawberries
1 Tbsp. strawberry liquor (I used Triple-Sec)
1/2 tsp lemon juice
8 oz. cream cheese, room temp
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp
1 3/4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 Tbsp vanilla

Put berries, liquor, and juice in saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool then blend until smooth.

In bowl of mixer mix cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add sugar, then vanilla. Add berry puree until smooth.

Frost cupcakes when they are completely cooled