I Heart Strawberries

don't you? i heart strawberries about as much as i loathe mondays - but this past monday was an exception to that. lets think about it for a second: monday was valentine's day - i actually have issues with v-day, but we'll skip the tirade for now. ridiculous hallmark holiday aside, it was a perfect 60-something degrees outside. THANK YOU GOD. nothing makes me smile more than finishing a test at 8:30a monday morning, walking home with the sun beating down my neck, and baking up a firestorm of goodies while watching episodes of entourage.

so this particular monday, i was charged with making a whole batch of tasties as a favor for a friend (well...a paid favor. holla!). a student group in the med school held a lunch time talk about the "color of love," a discussion about interracial relationships. appropriately timed, and an interesting topic. the warm weather made me yearn for something fruity, and strawberries were a natural first choice so that's what i went with. needless to say, these heart-felt cupcakes were really well received!

mini white chocolate pudding cupcakes (makes 60)

1 box white cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
1 box (4 serving) dry white chocolate pudding mix

1. prepare cake mix as indicated on box, plus the pudding mix thrown in the batter. 
2. fill paper lined mini-muffin tin about 2/3 full.* 
3. bake at 350F for 15 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

*depending on how many muffin tins you have, you may have to do a couple rounds. or, if you can't stand hanging in the kitchen that long, use mini foil liners instead of paper ones - foil liners can stand on their own when placed on a baking sheet, so you don't have to wait for a free muffin tin!

strawberry buttercream frosting  

1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 lb powdered sugar
1 cup finely chopped strawberries*

1. cream the butter using an electric mixer. 
2. slowly pour in sifted powdered sugar, mixing continuously. 
3. before mixing in the strawberries, press them through a strainer, releasing as much water from them as you can manage (this may be easier if you run the strawberries through a food processor instead of chopping them, but i like mine a little less mushy). 
4. mix in the strawberries. now frost!

*when cutting the strawberries, shape an outside slice into a heart for a special touch!