Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

Preparation Time:  25 minutes
Cooking Time:  30 minutes

Servings: 16

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
  • Frosting, recipe follows
  • 1 1/2 cups hulled and sliced fresh strawberries
  • Confectioners sugar, for garnish, optional

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 40 cups from 2 (24-cup) mini cupcake pans or 16 cups from 2 regular-size (12-cup) muffin pans with paper cupcake liners.

Sift or whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the coconut milk, oil, vinegar, vanilla, and espresso powder until smooth. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix with a fork or small whisk. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners. The cups should be filled about 2/3-full, and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 to 22 minutes for the mini cupcakes and about 25 minutes for the regular-size cupcakes. Cool the cupcakes in the pans for 5 minutes and then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Slice off the top 1/3 of each cupcake and slather with frosting and sliced strawberries. Place the top of the cupcake back on top and add an additional bit of frosting and sliced strawberries. Dust with confectioners sugar, if using.

Frosting:

  • 4 cups confectioners’ sugar, preferably organic
  • 1/2 cup margarine (recommended: Earth Balance Organic Soy-Free Non-Hydrogenated Buttery Spread) OR 1/2 cup refined coconut oil, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup water

Combine the confectioners’ sugar, margarine, and vanilla extract in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until combined. With the mixer running, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time, until the desired buttercream consistency.

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Chocolate & Irish Cream Liqueur Cupcakes

Preparation Time:  10 minutes
Cooking Time:  27 minutes

Servings: 24

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups Irish stout (recommended: Guinness)
  • 4 ounces unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 2 cups dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • Irish Liqueur Frosting, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a cupcake or muffin pan with 24 regular-size cupcake liners.

Place the stout and butter in a medium-size saucepan and whisk together on medium heat until the butter is melted. Remove from the heat. Sift the cocoa powder into a medium-size bowl and add the sugar. Slowly whisk into the stout mixture. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla and lightly whisk until smooth. Add this mixture to the saucepan and whisk thoroughly (it may appear lumpy). Sift the flour and baking soda together in another small bowl and then add it to the saucepan, mixing a final time until the color is even.

Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter and bake until the cakes spring back after touching, about 27 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in their pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

To assemble: Pipe the frosting onto cooled cupcakes using a large plain tip. Dust with cocoa powder if preferred.

  • This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

Irish Liqueur Frosting:

  • 1 pound unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons Irish cream liqueur (recommended: Baileys)
  • 4 cups confectioners’ sugar

Cream the butter in the bowl of an electric stand mixer until pale. Turn the mixer to low speed and add the Irish liqueur in a steady stream. Slowly add the confectioners’ sugar and continue beating until a creamy consistency is achieved.

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Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Preparation Time:  25 minutes
Cooking Time:  20 minutes

Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon Dutch process cocoa powder
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup hot milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2/3 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter or line with paper liners a 12-cup muffin tin.
  2. Cream 5 tablespoons of the butter with the white sugar. Add the molasses and the egg and egg yolk.
  3. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and salt. Dissolve the baking soda in the hot milk. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until just combined. Stir in the hot milk mixture. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared tin.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes or until slightly springy to the touch. Allow to cool a few minutes in the pan and remove to a rack to cool.
  5. To Make Frosting: Cream the 2 tablespoons butter and the cream cheese together. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar until fluffy. Add the lemon extract and beat. When the cupcakes are cool, frost the tops with the frosting and serve.

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Coconut Cream Cupcakes

Preparation Time:  15 minutes
Cooking Time:  30 minutes

Servings: 24

Ingredients

  • 1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
  • 1 (8 ounce) can coconut cream
  • 1 (16 ounce) package confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup flaked coconut

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix, oil, eggs, sour cream and cream of coconut. Mix until well blended. Spread evenly into your cupcake tray.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
  4. Make the frosting while your cake cools. In a medium bowl, cream together the confectioners sugar, cream cheese and milk. Stir in the vanilla. Frost cooled cupcakes then sprinkle with coconut.

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Cappuccino Cupcakes with Mocha Frosting

Preparation Time:  10 minutes
Cooking Time:  30 minutes

Servings: 24

Ingredients

  • 1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
  • 1/4 cup instant cappuccino coffee powder
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
  • 1 cup hot water

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix and 1/4 cup cappuccino. Pour in 1 1/4 cups water, 3 egg whites and 1 tablespoon oil. Mix well, then pour batter into cupcake pan.
  3. Bake in preheated oven according to package directions until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks and cool completely.
  4. To make the Mocha Frosting: In a large bowl, combine shortening with vanilla. Blend in half of the confectioners’ sugar. Blend in 2 tablespoons milk. Repeat with remaining confectioners’ sugar and 2 tablespoons milk. Mix in approximately half of the cocoa.
  5. Dissolve the 1 tablespoon instant coffee into 1 cup of hot water. While still warm, pour two tablespoons of the coffee into the frosting mixture. Mix in remaining cocoa. Add coffee mixture, a tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is achieved. Fill and frost cupcakes.

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Lemon-Lime Tart Cupcakes

Preparation Time:  15 minutes
Cooking Time:  20 minutes

Servings: 24

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups butter
  • 3 cups white sugar
  • 5 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons lemon extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup lemon-lime soda (e.g. 7-Up or Sprite)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 12 cup muffin pans and line with paper baking cups.
  2. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 15 minutes. Mix in the eggs one at a time, mixing each until well blended. Stir in the lemon extract. Stir in the flour, alternating with the lemon-lime soda, just until the batter is smooth. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter.

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Pretty-In-Pink Strawberry Cupcakes

Preparation Time:  15 minutes
Cooking Time:  25 minutes

Servings: 22

Ingredients

Cupcake Recipe

  • 1 package(s) (18 1/4-oz.) cake mix, plain white or yellow
  • 1 package(s) (3-oz.) strawberry gelatin
  • 1 cup(s) (finely chopped fresh) strawberries, with juice (from 1 1/2 cups whole berries)
  • 3/4 cup(s) milk
  • 3/4 cup(s) vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs

Frosting Recipe

  • 1 package(s) (8-oz.) cream cheese, reduced-fat, at room temperature
  • 4 tablespoon(s) (1/2 stick) butter, unsalted, at room temperature
  • 3 cup(s) (up to 3 1/2 cups) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 1/2 cup(s) (fresh ) strawberries, mashed and drained (3/4 cup hulled berries)
  • sprinkles, pink and white, for garnish (optional)
  • 24 slice(s) strawberry, for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners.
  2. Combine the cake mix, gelatin, strawberries and juice, milk, oil and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping down sides again if needed. Spoon about 1/3 cup batter into each lined cupcake cup, filling it 3/4 full. (You will get between 22 and 24 cupcakes; remove empty liners, if any.) Place pans side by side in the oven.
  3. Bake until cupcakes are lightly golden and spring back when pressed gently with a finger, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven, place pans on wire racks to cool for 5 minutes, then remove cupcakes to wire racks to cool for another 15 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, prepare frosting: Blend cream cheese and butter in large mixing bowl with electric mixer on low speed until combined, 30 seconds. Stop mixer and add 3 cups confectioners’ sugar and the mashed strawberries. Mix on low speed until incorporated, 1 minute. Increase speed to medium and blend until frosting is fluffy, 30 to 45 seconds longer, adding up to 1/2 cup more sugar if needed to get a spreadable consistency.
  5. Place a heaping tablespoon of frosting on each cupcake and swirl to spread it out with back of spoon. Refrigerate, uncovered, until frosting sets, 20 minutes. Decorate with sprinkles and strawberry slices, if desired.

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Coconut Cupcakes

Preparation Time:  10 minutes
Cooking Time:  35 minutes

Servings: 18

Ingredients

  • 3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 5 extra-large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

For the frosting:

  • 1 pound cream cheese at room temperature
  • 3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 1 1/2 pounds confectioners’ sugar, sifted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.

Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners’ sugar and mix until smooth.

Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

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