There's no sweeter gift you can give your valentine than this decadent cupcakes. Creating this Valentine's Day Dessert is actually quite simple!
~Ingredients:
-Strawberry Cupcake:
1 3/4 Cups Cake Flour.*
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder.
1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda.
1/4 Teaspoon Salt.
1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, softened, room temperature.
1 Cup Granulated Sugar.
3 Egg Whites, room temperature.
1/4 Cup Sour Cream, room temperature.**
1 1/2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract.
1/3 Cup Whole Milk, room temperature.
1/4 Cup Reduced Strawberry Puree (recipe in directions).
-White Chocolate Strawberry Frosting:
1 Cup Freeze Dried Strawberries***
1 Cup Unsalted Butter, softened, room temperature.
2 Cups Powdered Sugar.
6 Ounces White Chocolate, melted and slightly colored.****
1/4 Cup Heavy Cream, half and half or milk.
1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract.
1/8 Teaspoon Salt.
-Topping:
Fresh Strawberries
2 ounces melted white chocolate.
~Directions:
-Making the Reduced Strawberry Puree:
Step 1: Puree 1/2 lb of strawberries in a blender or a food processor, which will give you a little over 1/2 cup.
Step 2: Stirring occasionally, simmer the puree over low - medium heat for 20 minutes OR until you're left with 1/4 cup or a little over 1/4 cup.
Step 3: Allow to cool completely before using in cake batter. *****
-Making the Cupcakes:
Step 4: Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Line the cupcake tray with liners. Set aside.
Step 5: Whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
Step 6: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until smooth and creamed, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
Step 7: Beat in the egg whites on high speed until combined, about 2 minutes.
Step 8: Beat in the sour cream and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed.
Step 9: With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients until just incorporated. With the mixer still running on low, slowly pour and mix in the milk *just* until combined. Do Not Over Mix!
