Strawberry Cupcakes with Cool Whip Frosting

I've always found strawberry cupcakes to be particularly challenging because it's usually pretty hard to get a good strong strawberry flavor. I've seen a lot of recipes that use strawberry jell-o and that works for some people but I'm not a fan, it's way to artificial for the flavor. I used food coloring in the Cool Whip as I'm sure you realized because I really wanted to add color to the frosting but I typically prefer natural colors (which is why the cupcakes themselves aren't pink). This batch also only makes about 5 cupcakes so it's perfect for a few people getting together who want some dessert.

In these particular cupcakes I had a bit of fun and used Mott's strawberry applesauce. You could also use some strawberry puree instead of the applesauce but you would really only need to puree one or two strawberries since the recipe makes such a small batch. I had the strawberry applesauce so I used it :). It actually added a nice light strawberry flavor to the cupcake even though it is kind of hard to overwhelm someone with natural strawberry flavor. 

I decided to use Cool Whip for the frosting because I didn't want a heavy frosting and I was going for something nice, light, and cold because it's so hot here. This is a recipe I've used for a long time for small batches of cupcakes which works well when there aren't many people around to help eat them (it does happen). As always, feel free to ask questions or express your thoughts.

In other crazy news that I'm super excited about I am the Featured Chef over at Cook Eat Share right now! Yay! That was a huge surprise! Also, my picture was accepted on Dessert Stalking! It's only one but it's a start. This is turning out to be a pretty great week so far :) Happy Baking!

Hint of Strawberry Cupcakes
Makes 5

Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons strawberry applesauce (or strawberry puree)
- 1 whole egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ¾ tub Cool Whip
- red food coloring (if desired)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Place 5 cupcake liners in a muffin pan, set aside.
2. In a mixer blend together butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in strawberry applesauce or strawberry puree. Add the egg and vanilla then mix until smooth.
3. Add the flour and baking powder, blend until just mixed. Add the milk and mix until completely blended. Mix for about 30 seconds.
4. Divide the batter evenly between 5 cupcake liners. Bake for 15 -17 minutes or until it springs back when touched lightly or a toothpick inserted slightly off center comes out clean.
5. Remove from oven and cool completely on a rack.
6. Place ¼ tub of Cool Whip in a bowl and blend in 1-2 drops of red food coloring, stir until evenly blended. If using a pastry bag (I used a big star tip) then gently use a thin spatula and spread the tinted Cool Whip up one side on the inside of the bag in a 2” wide strip. Then gently fill the rest of the bag with the untinted Cool Whip. Pipe the Cool Whip onto the cupcakes in the desired pattern. If you’re not using a pastry bag then spread on the Cool Whip with a small spatula or knife. These taste the best the same day.

Printable recipe

This is an original recipe

This recipe may be linked up to:

· Inside BruCrew Life - Trick or Treat Tuesday's

· Crazy For Crust - Crazy Sweet Tuesday’s
· Alli 'n Sons - Sweet Tooth Friday 
· DJ's Sugar Shack - Whatcha Whipped Up?

· Mrs. Fox's Sweets - Mrs. Fox's Sweet Party 

· Sweet as Sugar Cookies - Sweets for a Saturday 
· Mandy's Recipe Box - Totally Tasty Tuesday's

· A Pinch of Joy - Busy Monday Link Party 

· House of Hepworth's - Hookin up with HoH 

· Cups by Kim - Sweet & Simple Sunday  

· Couponing & Cooking - Mealtime Monday 

· What's Cooking, Love? - Showcase Your Talent Thursday 

· Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo - Anything Goes Linky
· Chef in training - Tuesday Talent Show

· Dwell on Joy - Dwell on Friday 

· Six Sister's Stuff - Strut Your Stuff Saturday

· Something Swanky: Desserts & Designs - Sweet Treats Thursday 

· A Slice of Southern - Southern Sundays 

· Me and My Sweets - My Sweet Party