I can’t remember the last time I was this tired. Like, if I hold a blink too long, I’ll instantly be out for the rest of the night. Every time I see a bed on a television show or commercial, I think “Awww doesn’t that look nice?” I just saw 3 different people on Twitter say something about hitting the sack, and I got insanely jealous. I’ll probably wake up tomorrow and think, “Oh no! I forgot to write a blog post!” And then I’ll run to my computer to check it out, only to see a whole post on cupcakes. It’s that kind of tired.
In case you haven’t noticed, cupcakes are my go-to, my support, my best friend and confidante. OK, that’s getting weird. But really:
Me especially. And writing about cupcakes is about the only thing that will keep me up right now. So, just go with it, OK? Thank you. You’re the best. By the way, the mug is from Swirlz in Chicago. It makes my morning coffee taste better.
I actually made these cupcakes for Chels’s birthday last week. She’s not super into chocolate and I wanted something more fun than vanilla. But Chels loves all things strawberry, so, when I spotted a recipe for strawberry cupcakes, I knew they were perfect. And so pretty, too!
Allegedly, this recipe is the same as the one from Sprinkles. I dunno. I’ve never had the pleasure of tasting Sprinkles strawberry cupcakes, but if someone wants to send me some, I’ll let you know. Until then, I’m trusting Martha Stewart’s opinion that they are, in fact, Sprinkles’ strawberry cupcakes. Because what Martha says goes.
Strawberry Cupcakes (makes 1 dozen):
- 1 C whole fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
- 1 t baking powder
- 1/4 t coarse salt
- 1/4 C whole milk, room temperature
- 1 t vanilla extract
- 1/2 C (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 C sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 large egg whites, room temperature
- 2-4 drops red food coloring, optional
Strawberry Frosting:
- 1 C (2 sticks) unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold
- Pinch of coarse salt
- 3 1/2 C confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 t vanilla extract
- 3 T strawberry puree (leftover from cupcakes)
I used my mini food processor to make the strawberry puree. I simply popped the strawberries in the food processor and pureed them!
In a medium bowl, I mixed together my flour, baking powder, and salt. And set it aside.
In a small bowl, I mixed together milk, vanilla, and 1/3 C of the strawberry puree. And set that aside, too.
Then I put the butter in my mixer and creamed it with the paddle attachment until it was light and fluffy. I gradually added the sugar and continued to beat until well-combined and fluffy. Then I slowed the mixer to medium speed and added the egg and egg whites one by one, mixing after each addition.
With the mixture on low, I slowly added half the flour mixture and mixed until just blended. Then I added the milk mixture and mixed that until blended. Then the rest of the flour, until just blended.
I added a couple drops of red food coloring too, because my mixture wasn’t quite red enough.
I divided the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups.
And baked them at 350 degrees for about 22-25 minutes.
Oh yum.
I let the cupcakes cool on a wire rack.
Well, kind of.
While the cupcakes were baking/cooling, I made the frosting. Super easy!
I beat the butter and salt in an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Then reduced the speed and add confectioners’ sugar and beat until well combined.
I added the vanilla and 3 T strawberry puree. Don’t overmix! Martha claims the frosting should dense and creamy, like ice cream.
Then frost the cupcakes! But wait until the cupcakes are a little cooler than I did. I was running off to brunch and didn’t let them fully cool. So the frosting got a little drippy.
I just popped them in the fridge before I went out. But not before adding on some pink sprinkles, of course!
And then? We came home from brunch and indulged. And the cupcakes were just fine. Delicious, in fact. They were moist and full of real strawberry flavor. And they may have even tasted like Sprinkles’ strawberry cupcakes. For all I know, they were even better!
Now I’m just sad these are no longer sitting in my fridge. Especially since tomorrow is Friday and, well, Friday calls for cupcakes.
But I have a glorious weekend ahead of me and may even take the time to make some new cupcakes. Seriously though, I haven’t looked forward to a weekend this much in a long, long time. This crazy week of work hasn’t allowed me enough time to do things like sleep. So, this weekend will be sleep, pool, relax, sun, cupcakes. You know the drill. And since tomorrow’s Friday night, that obviously calls for some red wine and Dateline (which, by the way, y’all made me feel so much better about my Friday night routine by saying you do basically the same thing).
BUT I might switch up the routine as Chris and I just started watching Glee (um, why didn’t we start sooner?) And I discovered this lovely gem:
Skyy Vodka Ginger? Hello LOVE! I’m pretty sure you need to try this and fall in love, too.
And with that, I fall into bed and hope to have sweet dreams of cupcakes. But waking up to Friday will certainly be sweet enough.
What’s your favorite Friday night drink?
[Sues]
These are so beautiful! I love strawberry flavored anything. I hope you got lots and lots of sleep. And that you stop somewhere and pickup a cupcake tomorrow :).
those cupcakes look great! I hope you get some good rest soon! 🙂
ooh, ginger vodka? interesting. i just started watching glee this summer, too 🙂 i don’t know why i waited so long either!
A few friends and I just discovered Rain Organics Vodka! They come in a lot of different fun flavors (like cucumber, orange etc) and we have been having a Rain Organics flavor night to try out all the different ones! Oh and we watch old but still awesome disney movies too. This weekend its Lion King 2 🙂
The cupcakes took delicious! Will have to try them out soon!!
I hope you get all the sleep you need this weekend! I’m running on low this week too and stressing out about leaving for Maine tomorrow so I’m hoping that some red wine will knock me out tonight. BTW, the ginger vodka looks really interesting and those strawberry cupcakes are adorable!
Eek, get some rest, girlie!! Maybe there are ginger vodka cupcakes in your future 😉
Sues, I second Elina’s motion for ginger vodka cupcakes. I will home around 5:30 (just saying) 🙂
these look so delish and pretty in pink! my husband thinks cupcakes are super girly though… (seriously- he says men don’t eat cupcakes. ummmm we had cupcakes at our wedding & he ate them there!!!) guess i’ll have to make them for the girls! yum 🙂
I love how pretty your cupcake batter is with the pink touch from the strawberries, yum! Thanks for the tip on the ginger vodka, that sound fantastic.
It depends on the weather, but with the cooler nights I like a glass of Syrah on a Friday. . . or any night! I have never heard of ginger vodka, but being a lover of all things ginger must try it!
Beautiful pink cupcakes, they look delightful!
Ginger vodka is my FAVE. I tried it in Vegas and have been duly obsessed ever since.
Strawberry cupcakes sound so good right now. I’ve never actually had one (the horror!) because I always end up picking chocolate or vanilla or carrot or red velvet (okay, I have to stop now before I start drooling) but I did have an awesome strawberry cake at… my bf’s birthday. hehe. Apparently he loved it when he was a kid, so his aunt made him some. I might just make him some of these strawberry cupcakes soon, thanks for the recipe. Hope you get your much needed rest this weekend!
The cupcakes look amazing! Bookmarked, I think I’ll make these for my daughter’s b-day. I hope you can get a good night of sleep soon.
Must try that Ginger Vodka!! The cupcakes look so pretty, nice job Sues!
How pretty in pink those cupcakes are 🙂 Whatever gets you through the day, right? Baking is one of the most relaxing things I can do for myself.
I hope you catch up on sleep this weekend!!
I feel the same way about cupcakes! Never tried strawberry ones tho, will be saving this recipe for later!
What fun these would be for a birthday party or shower. I love that the recipe makes only 12 cakes. That makes it easier for those of us who have small families. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
I have never had strawberry cupcakes and I was in the mood for making cupcakes tonight to take to a wine tasting/making tomorrow with the girls.. I think I will make these. Thanks for the awesome recipe Sues! Now get some rest 🙂
YUM!
There is a bakery here in DC that makes strawberry cupcakes with strawberries sliced right into the batter! SO good!
I’ve been into Firefly sweet tea vodka with lemonade lately!
Mmm! I went to that bakery’s website just to see if I could order that mug. Haha!
Beautiful strawberry cupcakes! I can almost taste that fresh, strawberry flavor. Friday night is usually Margaritas and Mexican food at our favorite restaurant.
Such pretty strawberry cupcakes! And the vodka with ginger is very neat!
Must try that ginger vodka. Mmm. That sounds awesome. I can just imagine the ginger pear martinis that can come from that…
those cupcakes look so very very good!! all that strawberry goodness, and your right cupcakes do cheer you up!
The vodka sounds interesting, I would love to give it a try!
I so want a cupcake right now!! Those are screaming my name…even more so because they are pink 🙂
I LOVE Glee 🙂 Can’t wait for season 2!!
Ok, whoa. Ginger Vodka??? Yes PLEASE! Excellent find!
I’m boring and usually just have gin and tonics, but the ginger vodka sound so refreshing! I love making strawberry cupcakes for baby showers when it’s a girl – your version looks yummy!
Mmmm…these look great! I might need to try and make them while strawberries are still in season!
I’ve been drinking Skyy’s Ginger Vodka mixed with ginger ale lately, and WOW is it ever delicious. It’s also good with ginger beer, if you prefer less sweetness….
And I also enjoy the idea of a ginger vodka cupcake recipe, especially after those margarita cupcakes you did a while back!