Strawberries & Cream Cupcakes

Before you stick your nose up & think, “That’s just a strawberry cupcake!” Think again! I make this recipe EVERY year for valentines day.

You can even buy the heart shaped pans & do a double layer heart cake for your lover. My hubby freaks out if I haven’t bought the ingredients for this cake as February rolls around.

Strawberries & Cream Cupcakes

This cake is so moist, so fruity & matched with the cream cheese frosting speckled of strawberries, it’s a match made in heaven! Try to eat just one of these! I dare you! Great for parties or kids’ valentine’s treats as well.

Strawberries & Cream Cupcakes
Strawberries & Cream Cupcakes

Strawberries & Cream Valentine’s Day Cupcakes

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 1 box Pillsbury White Cake Mix
  • 3 oz box strawberry gelatin dessert
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup canola oil
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3/4 (16oz) pkg frozen whole strawberries, pureed (save 2 Tbsp for frosting)
  • 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

Strawberries & Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 oz pkg Neufchatel Cream Cheese, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 Tbsp frozen whole strawberries, pureed
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. For cake: Mix all ingredients in a large bowl with a hand blender for 2 minutes on medium speed. Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full of batter; do not overfill. Bake at 350*F for 25-30 min or until they spring back when touched. (** If making two 8" or 9" rounds, bake for 35 min, if doing a large 9x13 pan, bake 45 min)
  2. For frosting: Whip cream cheese with butter until all lumps are gone & it's nice & creamy. Add strawberry puree until just combined (it's a small amount to give it a slight pink hugh.) Add powdered sugar all at once & blend until just combined. Do not overmix. Keep in fridge until ready to frost cooled cupcakes.
  3. When cupcakes are cooled, pipe frosting & sprinkle with sugar crystals or garnish with a sliced strawberry. Keep refrigerated.