Pink Strawberry Buttercream Frosted Cupcakes with Strawberry Mascarpone Filling!

Not a huge fan of vanilla but I needed these to be themed for a bridal shower - my cousin is a big fan of pink.  They turned out pretty tasty though :)

Yield: Makes 48 Mini Cupcakes

You will need:

·         1 box vanilla cake mix

·         ¾ cup pureed strawberries (about a pint)

Strawberry & Mascarpone Cheese Filling:

·         1 (8-ounce) container mascarpone cheese, chilled

·         ½ cup pureed strawberries

·         ¼ cup sugar

·         1 tbs lemon juice

      In a food processor combine the mascarpone cheese, strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar, and lemon juice. Process the mixture until smooth. Transfer the strawberry mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a small tip. Push the tip gently into the bottom of a cupcake and squeeze in the strawberry mixture until the cupcake plumps. Continue with the remaining cupcakes.   

  *From: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/strawberry-and-mascarpone-filled-cupcakes-recipe/index.html

Pink Buttercream & Strawberry Icing

·         1 cup softened butter

·         4 cups powdered sugar

·         1 tbs vanilla

·         ¼ cup pureed strawberries

·         2 drops rose colored food coloring

      Beat butter for a few minutes with a mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Add 3 cups of powdered sugar and turn your mixer on the lowest speed (so the sugar doesn’t blow everywhere) until the sugar has been incorporated with the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, strawberry puree, and 2 tablespoons of milk/cream and beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add remaining sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add remaining milk 1 tablespoons at a time.

  *From: http://savorysweetlife.com/2010/03/buttercream-frosting/

Fill a mini cupcake pan with cupcake wrappers and make the box cake as directed.  Spoon batter into mini cups about ¾ full and bake 8-10 minutes.  Using a knife, level the cupcakes to make the tops even.  Then carve out mini holes in each cupcake and fill the min holes with the strawberry filling.  Fill a piping bag with the buttercream icing and decorate the cupcakes as desired.  I used cupcake gems to make the finishing touches!  Refrigerate and enjoy!