Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

Couldn't find a good Strawberry frosting so made this one up myself! It's a milder strawberry flavor but you can tell that fresh strawberries were used which I think is key.

• 1 stick butter, room temp
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 strawberries, pureed

Whip the butter with the whisk attachment of a stand mixer. Meanwhile puree the strawberries and then push them through a mesh strainer to get rid of all the large pieces. Add in about half the powdered sugar to the butter and then add the vanilla.  Add the strawberry puree liquid and add in the rest of the powdered sugar. Optional: Mix in small diced pieces of fresh strawberries by hand. Viola!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Chocolate chip cookie dough. In a cupcake. Need I say more?

For the cookie dough:

• 1.5 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 - 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix flour, baking soda, and sea salt together in medium bowl. Set aside.
Cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract and mix together. Add flour mixture a little at a time until everything is blended together. Fold in chocolate chips with a spoon. Spread wax paper onto a baking sheet and form tablespoon sized balls (about 24). Freeze for AT LEAST two hours (I froze mine overnight).

For the cupcakes:

• 1 box white, yellow, or chocolate cake mix (whichever you choose)
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 and 1/3 cup water

Mix eggs together with hand mixer. Add cake mix, oil, and water and blend until smooth.

Now, fill each cupcake liner about 1/2 - 2/3 full with cupcake batter. Place one frozen chocolate chip cookie dough ball on top. Bake 16 minutes at 350 degrees. Test with toothpick (around the edge of the cupcake, not in the center) to make sure it's done.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

• 2 sticks butter, softened at room temp
• 2.5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 Bakers squares semi-sweet chocolate (4 oz), melted and cooled

Use the wire whisk attachment to a stand mixer and mix the butter on medium-high for about 5 minutes. Gradually add in all the powdered sugar. Next add the vanilla and continue mixing. Add in the melted chocolate and continue to whip until light and fluffly (another 2 minutes or so).



Original recipe from allrecipes.com.