Scrumptious Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

MaMa's Apprentice's Note:

This cupcake is impressive!

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 24

Yield: 24.0 cupcakes

For cupcakes

• 1 (18 1/4 ounce) package white cake mix
• 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry gelatin
• 1 cup mashed fresh strawberries (1 and 1/2 c. whole=1 c. mashed)
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 4 eggs

For the lemon cream cheese frosting

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) bar cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 lbs powdered sugar, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 -2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions:

1. For cupcakes: In a large bowl, stir together cake mix and gelatin mix. Make a well in the center and pour in mashed strawberries, oil, milk and eggs. Beat on low speed until blended. Scrape bowl and beat 2 minutes on medium speed. Pour batter into prepared cupcake pans.
2. Bake at 350 for 15-20 min or until cupcakes are done.
3. For the lemon cream cheese frosting: Cream together shortening, butter, and cream cheese until nice and smooth. Add vanilla into mixture and combine. Sift together sugar and salt, and slowly add to shortening, butter & cheese mixture. Add lemon juice and mix well.
4. Top each cupcake with a slice of strawberry and lemon zest. Voila!

Reviews

[QueenJellyBean]

Very good! I didn't have strawberry jello but I did have raspberry and I just so happened to have frozen raspberries from my garden so I made raspberry lemonade. I also wanted a cake instead of cupcakes so I made an 8" double layer cake and put the frosting as well as rasberry jam in between the layers. It was a huge hit! I will make it next time using strawberries. I think it would be fantastic either way!

[megan4083]

So, my son has been asking for cupcakes for his birthday (he turns 3 at the end of Sept.). I decided I'd try this recipe out, but I was really bummed out by the "frosting" which turned out more like icing. I followed every step, and measured everything exactly, but the frosting was flat.

[I Am Baked]

I sell these at the Farmer's Market and they are the most popular. Once people try them, the LOVE them. I have been requested to bring them every week.