Very Strawberry Cupcakes

This was another one of the cupcakes I made for my cousin's birthday party recently.  I'd say this definitely fulfilled her strawberry request!  These are soooooo good, and pretty, too :)

I think these would be perfect for a little girl's birthday, or for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day.  No matter what the occasion, they'll be well received.  Yum.

Now, can someone please come over and give me piping lessons?  I promise I'll pay you with good eats.  Grrrr.

Very Strawberry Cupcakes
from Apron of Grace

1 cup butter
2 1/2 cups sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon red food coloring
1 1/4 cups pureed strawberries
3 cups cake flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 cup buttermilk

For the cream cheese buttercream frosting:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temp
1/2 cup butter, at room temp
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon red food coloring
1 pound (approximately 3 1/4 cups) confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium bowl, beat sugar and butter together for 3 minutes.  Add egg yolks, one at a time.  Add vanilla, food coloring and strawberries, and beat for 3 minutes.

Sift dry ingredients together and add to butter/egg mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.  Mix until just combined.

In another bowl, beat egg whites until stiff.  Add to cake batter one third at a time, folding in thoroughly but gently.

Pour batter evenly into 36 lined cupcake tins.  Bake for approximately 18 minutes.

To make the frosting:
Beat cream cheese and butter together until light and creamy, about 3 minutes.  Add liquids and blend.  Slowly add sugary while mixing.  You need a medium stiff consistency, so add more sugar if necessary, and beat for several  minutes.

Frost when cupcakes are completely cooled.

Linked to: Tastetastic Thursday
                   Sweets for a Saturday
                   Strawberry Blog Hop