Sprinkles Anyone?

Sprinkles Cupcakes were a treasure Eric and I discovered back in Dallas. It's a gourmet cupcake shop that started in California. There are over 25 different flavors to try. We did find a gourmet cupcake place in Overland Park a few weeks ago, but it was not as good as Sprinkles.

Well yesterday on TLC there was a marathon of Cake Boss. Great show if you've never seen it. While watching the show, there were commercials for DC Cupcakes. Every time I saw the commercial, I thought of Sprinkles.

Well I didn't feel too great today. My stomach was bothering me all afternoon. When I would stay home sick from school when I was younger, I would always bake. I don't know why but it made me feel better. It was usually just a box cake, but tonight I wanted to tackle cupcakes.

I found a recipe online for Sprinkles Strawberry Cupcakes, my favorite. YUMMY!!! The recipe is below. I didn't let the cupcakes cool quite as long as needed so the frosting got a little runny. They still tasted GREAT! I can't wait to try gourmet cupcakes next time :)

Sprinkles Strawberry Cupcakes

• 2/3 cup whole fresh or frozen strawberries, thawed
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 2 large egg whites, room temperature

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.
2. Place strawberries in a small food processor; process until pureed. You should have about 1/3 cup of puree, add a few more strawberries if necessary or save any extra puree for frosting; set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla, and strawberry puree; set aside.
4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.
5. With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.
6. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in tin before icing.

Strawberry Icing

• 1/2 cup whole frozen strawberries, thawed
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold
• Pinch of coarse salt
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Place strawberries in the bowl of a small food processor; process until pureed. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat until well combined. Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons strawberry puree (save any remaining strawberry puree for another use); mix until just blended. Do not overmix or frosting will incorporate too much air. Frosting consistency should be dense and creamy, like ice cream.