Monday, September 15, 2008

Berry-Topped Cupcakes

Check out this delicious cupcake recipe I found on Parents.com - these would be the perfect treat for a bridal shower luncheon or part of your dessert table at your reception.

Berry-Topped Cupcakes

{This recipe makes 16 cupcakes}

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups fresh strawberries, trimmed and chopped
4 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons strawberry-flavored gelatin
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
3/4 cup buttermilk

Frosting:
3 cups confectioners' sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°. Line 18 indents of 2 cupcake pans with paper or foil liners.
2. In small saucepan, combine 1 cup of the strawberries, 4 tablespoons of the gelatin and 2 tablespoons water. Heat over medium heat for 9 minutes or until bubbly. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool 30 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt. In large bowl, beat butter until smooth. Beat in sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
4. On low speed, alternately beat flour mixture and buttermilk into butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Stir in cooled strawberry mixture. Divide batter among liners, about 1/3 cup in each.
5. Bake at 350° for about 24 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly pressed. Cool cupcakes in pans for 5 minutes, then remove to a rack; let cool.
6. In small saucepan, combine remaining 1/2 cup strawberries and remaining 2 teaspoons gelatin. Cook 5 minutes over medium heat until gelatin is dissolved. Cool 20 minutes.
7. Frosting: In bowl, blend sugar, butter, milk and vanilla until smooth. Once cupcakes have cooled, spread with frosting, about 1-1/2 tablespoons for each. Make a small indent in center of frosting with a spoon. Spoon scant 1/2 teaspoon cooled strawberry mixture into indent on top of each cupcake. Chill 15 minutes, or until set.


Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Parents.com

No comments: