In the Kitchen for Valentine’s Day – Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Fresh Strawberry Butter-Cream Frosting

Valentine’s Day is this week. This week! So, I decided to do a bit of ‘pink’ baking. I took the easy quick route by using a box mix of vanilla cake for the cupcakes.

I followed the directions for mixing and baking on the box but added a few vanilla beans to give the cupcakes extra flavor. Vanilla beans are easy to use. Simply slice the bean length wise and carefully scrape out the bean paste.

And I adore the look of the tiny speckled vanilla beans in the finished product! Easy peasy and oh so good.

I’ve been wanting to try my hand at Fresh Strawberry Butter-Cream Frosting since NY bought me a cupcake with the delectable frosting at a local bake shop. i thought, “How hard could it be?”

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups butter at room temperature

5 cups confectioners sugar

1/2 cup fresh pureed strawberries

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

 Beat 1 1/2 cups butter in large mixing bowl until creamy.

 Mix in 5 cups confectioners sugar 1 cup at a time. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract and beat until creamy. It will be quite stiff.

 Add 1/2 cup fresh pureed strawberries. Beat to a creamy but semi-stiff consistency. You may need to add more confectioners sugar or pureed strawberries for desired consistency.

Now … frost your cupcakes, cake or cookies.

 I cut the corner off a quart Ziploc bag to fit my large Wilton star tip through.

I spoon the frosting into the bag and gently squeeze the air out sealing the bag with the ziploc.

Frost the cupcakes (cake or cookies) as desired. Decorate with sprinkles or a chocolate kiss.

Enjoy!

Oh! And Happy Valentine’s Day!