#163_Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

The title already describes what this dessert is.
Yes, these are chocolate cupcakes from
my aunt Betty's (Crocker) cake mix,
iced with buttercream frosting with
finely chopped strawberries.
Each cupcake is then topped with
whipped cream-filled strawberry, which is optional.


This is truly easy and simple to make dessert,
ideal for bridal shower, kids' birthday parties or girls' "PJ" parties.
Actually I made these for two birthdays today,
and it didn't take me very long to do 24 of them.
They are YUMMY!

For the Buttercream Icing:
(for 24 cupcakes or two layer round cake or a flat cake)

Beat (about) 3/4 of a bag of confectioner's sugar
and a stick of softened butter together until fluffy.
Sorry, I don't really measure my ingredients unless I have to.
I just like to eyeball most of the time.
Can add about half a stick of softened cream cheese.
(this is optional but is a great idea)

Fold in about half a cup of chopped strawberries.
Careful not to put too much strawberries because
strawberries "weep" (for lack of term)
when chopped and then makes the frosting runny.

That's exactly what happened with these ones I made here.
The frosting turned out a little thin because
I put in a little too much chopped strawberries.
This is what happens when you don't measure,
good thing I didn't put in waaaay to much.

In a way, I kind of like the effect of the frosting draping down
the sides of the cupcakes, don't you?
It's a good justification!

If you have extra frosting save it for DIPS for fresh strawberries....
Mmmmm! Even YUMMY-ER!!

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