Fluffy Pink Strawberry Cupcakes (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Cupcakes
01 -
1 ounce bag freeze dried strawberries
02 -
5 large egg whites, room temperature
03 -
¾ cup buttermilk, divided
04 -
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
05 -
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
06 -
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
07 -
2 ¼ cup cake flour
08 -
1 Tablespoon baking powder
09 -
½ teaspoon kosher salt
→ For the Frosting
10 -
1 ounce bag freeze dried strawberries
11 -
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 -
4 cups powdered sugar
13 -
3-4 Tablespoons milk
14 -
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Instructions:
01 -
Begin by adding the freeze-dried strawberries to a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs. You may have some small bits and pieces, and that is perfectly fine. Set aside. (You should have about ½ cup of crumbs).
02 -
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place liners in a standard-sized cupcake tin and set aside.
03 -
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg whites with ¼ cup of the buttermilk. Set aside.
04 -
In a medium bowl, combine cake flour with baking powder and kosher salt. Whisk together and set aside.
05 -
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with granulated sugar and strawberry crumbs. Scrape down sides of the bowl as needed and beat for about 2-3 minutes, until fully blended.
06 -
Beat in vanilla extract.
07 -
Add in the dry ingredients, slowly, just until combined. Slowly add in the egg mixture, beating until well blended (about 1 minute).
08 -
Finally, beat in the remaining buttermilk.
09 -
Spoon batter evenly into the prepared cupcake tin, filling about ½ full. Bake for 17-19 minutes until lightly browned and springs back when you touch it.
10 -
Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
11 -
In a food processor, pulse freeze dried strawberries until fine crumbs. Set aside.
12 -
In a large mixing bowl with whisk attachment, beat butter for 2-3 minutes until pale in color (scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed).
13 -
Add in powdered sugar, 3 Tablespoons of milk, vanilla, and strawberry crumbs.
14 -
Beat an additional 2-3 minutes until well blended, and fluffy. Add in more milk if needed to achieve the consistency you want. Pipe onto cupcakes and decorate as desired.
# Notes:
01 -
Various brands of freeze dried strawberries result in various shades of pink color
02 -
Freeze dried strawberries come in 1-ounce bags and can be found at most grocery stores, Walmart, Target, and Amazon in the dried fruit aisles
03 -
These cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature
04 -
This cake pairs beautifully with strawberry frosting, chocolate frosting, vanilla frosting, or sour cream frosting