Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream

Something sweet for Valentine’s Day

Everyone loves a cupcake and we have the perfect recipe to spoil someone special…

Strawberry cupcakes

Ingredients

• 12 large strawberries
• 1 large egg + 2 egg whites, room temperature and separated
• 2 cups plain flour
• ¼ cup cornflour
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 180g unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup full cream milk, room temperature

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a 12-count muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. Slice 8 strawberries and place in a food processor or blender. Pulse until strawberries are a puree – you should have about 1/2 cup.
3. Finely chop remaining strawberries.
4. Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the 3 egg whites on high speed in a medium bowl until soft peaks form – about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
5. Sift the flour, cornflour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
6. Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy – about 1 minute.
7. Add the sugar, beat, then add the egg yolk and vanilla – beat until combined.
8. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the milk until just combined. Do not overmix.
9. Fold egg whites, 1/3 cup strawberry puree (keep the remaining puree aside for the icing), and finely chopped strawberries into the cupcake batter.
10. Fill the cupcake liners halfway and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
11. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Strawberry Buttercream

Ingredients

• 1 cup (235g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• 4 cups icing sugar
• 3 tablespoons cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

1. Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy – about 2 minutes.
2. Add icing sugar, left-over strawberry puree, cream, and vanilla extract with the mixer running on low. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes.
3. Add extra icing sugar if frosting is too thin or extra cream if frosting is too thick.
4. Frost cupcakes.

At Southport Sharks we are excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day.