Strawberry Cupcakes

By á-5329

Ingredients

• Cupcake liners
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup strawberry yogurt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring (1 ounce is usually 1 bottle)
• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe below
• Crushed pecans or red decorating sugar for garnish
• Optional: blue food coloring
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• Yields: Enough frosting to heavily decorate the above cupcake recipe
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick, room temperature)
• 16 ounces cream cheese (2 blocks, room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract (if available, otherwise regular)

Details

Servings 2

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line muffin cups with paper liners and set aside.
In a medium bowl, sift together dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder.
In a stand mixer, mix together wet ingredients: oil, applesauce, yogurt, eggs, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla. (Optional: Add a few drops of blue food coloring to deepen the red color)
Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three small batches until just combined, and a smooth batter is formed. Do not overmix.
Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and tap on flat surface to ensure no air bubbles. Bake accordingly:
Mini-size: Bake 13-15 mins
Regular size: Bake 15-18 mins
Use a toothpick to check for doneness and when it comes out clean, move muffin tins to a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes.
Cream Cheese Frosting Directions:
In a stand mixer on low speed, combine cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar until combined.
Increase the speed and beat until light, fluffy and lumps are gone. (If frosting seems a bit stiff, turn off and add 1tsp or so of milk) Occasionally stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add vanilla and mix briefly.
Place frosting in refrigerator to stiffen slightly.
When cupcakes have cooled completed. Pipe frosting or use an offset spatula to spread frosting onto cupcake. Decorate with crushed pecans or red decorating sugar.