Cherished Memories by Elizabeth Marie: Strawberry Cupcakes

Ingredients

Strawberry Cake

1 cup Butter
2 & 1/2 cups Sugar
2 Egg Yolks
5 Egg Whites
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon Red Food Coloring
1 & 1/4 cups Pureed Strawberries
3 cups Cake Flour, sifted
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
pinch Salt
1 cup Buttermilk

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 - 8oz Cream Cheese, room temp
1/2 cup Butter, room temp
1/3 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon Red Food Coloring
1 lb. Powdered Sugar

Instructions

Strawberry Cake Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl (**** Their idea of a medium bowl and my idea must be different because I used a medium bowl and had to transfer to a large bowl half way through), beat butter with sugar for 3 minutes.

Add egg yolks one at a time, then the vanilla, food coloring and strawberries, beat for another 3 minutes.

Sift dry ingredients and add to butter/egg mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.

Mix just till combined.

In another bowl and clean beaters, beat egg whites till stiff and add in an increment of 3 to cake batter, being sure to fold in thoroughly but gently.

Bake for 18 or so minutes for cupcakes and 20-25 minutes for 9 inch round cake pans.

Frosting Directions

In a medium bowl, add cream cheese and butter, whip till light and creamy, about 3 minutes.

Add liquids and blend.

Slowly add powdered sugar while mixing, (to keep the sugar from decorating your counters and appliances, not including you.)

At this point you may need to add more powdered sugar. You are trying to achieve a medium stiff consistency. Whip for several minutes.

Makes three dozen cupcakes.

Okay, I would first like to say that I did not make the cream cheese icing today :(. I opened up my cream cheese and discovered it was moldy. Gross. So, no icing. I will hopefully make it tomorrow.

Second, this made way more than 3 dozen cupcakes for me! So, with the leftovers I made a cake! :)

This recipe kind of intimidated me. I'm not a very experienced baker, so I was kind of afraid making something from scratch and not out of a box. Although I did guess and wing it for some parts, the recipe was pretty easy to follow and for a first timer at making cupcakes from scratch I think it was good. My cupcakes obviously did not turn out perfect (mine were a bit more purple in colour, instead of pink), but they taste like strawberry cupcakes and that was the goal. Haha. I'm quite satisfied with the results (although they would be way better with the icing!).

I think I will be a bit more comfortable taking on some more from scratch baking recipes after this. I am excited to try some more cake recipes! Maybe something yummy and chocolatey next...