I am so super excited to announce the launch of the Cupcake Couture Blog Party today! I have teamed up with the owner of Bella Cupcake Couture, Carrie Middlemiss, to bring you this fantastic party. Cupcakes, party displays, Bella Cupcake Couture and…. A HUGE PRIZE! So make sure to read the whole post so you don’t miss a thing!!
Carrie and I, along with 18 other bloggers have created custom cupcakes to coordinate with 20 different Bella Cupcake Couture cupcake wrappers (provided graciously by Carrie – THANK YOU!). Each blogger then created a display for the cupcakes – but here’s the best part… the displays were made of every day items found in each bloggers home! No trips to the store for any fancy props. What that means is that you can recreate all 20 of these cupcakes and party displays by yourself – easily! Maybe you’ll even be inspired to create a cupcake in Bella Cupcake Couture wrapper and a display all of your own!
Please visit all 20 blogs, read all 20 recipes and check out all 20 party displays! Links to each party can be found below!
An American Cupcake in London
Bella Cupcake Couture
Chronicles of a Foodie
Crazy for Crust
Creative Food
Cupcakes Take the Cake
Diary of a Mad Hausfrau
Eat Your Heart Out
Haniela’s
Hoosier Homemade
In Katrina’s Kitchen
Inside BruCrew Life
Java Cupcake
Love From the Oven
Make Bake Celebrate
Not Just a Mommy
Sugar Daze
Sugar Swings! Serve Some
The Baked Equation
The Baking Cup
The Decorated Cookie
For the party, Carrie sent me her Jolene Pink Camoflague cupcake wrappers for this party. For the party, Carrie sent me a package of her pink camo wrappers. Kinda perfect for me since my hubby is in the Army and we’re stationed over here in Germany! All Army – all the time! hehe I decided to make a strawberry cupcake with strawberry buttercream … both made with fresh strawberry puree. It’s almost summertime so I thought this flavor would be a perfect choice… plus, the pink matches the wrappers! Super easy, yet so super delicious!
For the display, I used things I already had at home… didn’t need to run to the store to buy anything. Although, if I had to purchase any of the items I used, it wouldn’t be that expensive to recreate.
Here’s what I used to create the display:
- Pink vinyl table cover
- Pottery Barn white cake stand trimmed with 1 1/2 inch pink ribbon
- Martha Stewart white rectangle platter trimmed with 1 1/2 inch pink ribbom
- Pink tissue paper pom pom (watch this tutorial to learn how!) – hung from the wall
- Pink curling ribbon – curled & hung from the wall
- Cupcakes adorned with Bella Cupcake Couture Pink Camo cupcake wrappers
- Army helmet, patrol cap and toy Stryker (You can go to any Military surplus store to look for similar items. Also, any military toy truck would work!)
This display was super simple to put together and I think the addition of the ACU Army equipment really makes the pink POP! And don’t worry if you don’t have access to an Army helmet or patrol hat – just use whatever your kids have already! Got boys? Use their Army trucks in the display! Live near a military surplus store? Run inside there and get some cheap ACU Army gear to put on your table. No need to spend lots of money.
The pink curling ribbon I had in my stash of ribbon already and I think it added some texture and color to the back drop of the display. The pom pom and the curls added much needed height to the entire display.
The cupcakes are a super yummy strawberry cupcake topped with strawberry buttercream and more fresh berries. YUMMMMMMMMOOOO! Seriously. This is THE perfect strawberry cupcake. Everyone who ate one RAVED about it. This recipe makes 3 dozen cupcakes, so you could easily turn it into a cake with 3 8in layers or 2 9in layers. Om nom nom nom
Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream
Fresh strawberries macerated in honey and sugar are used in the cupcakes and frosting for these super sweet summer treat!
Ingredients
Strawberry Puree
- 3 cups fresh strawberries, diced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2-3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Strawberry Cupcakes
- 3 3/4 cups cake flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 + 2 Tbsp cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp almond extract
- seeds of 1 vanilla bean
- 12 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups strawberry puree
- pink food coloring (Wilton Gel - Pink) - optional
Strawberry Buttercream
- 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 lbs powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 cup strawberry puree
- 1 tsp strawberry extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
Strawberry puree
- In a medium bowl, drizzle up to 1/2 cup of honey over the top of the chopped strawberries. Add the sugar, vanilla and salt. Mix with a rubber spatula until the strawberries are completely coated.
- Let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours. You want the sugars to get into the berries to create a delicious syrup.
- Puree in a food processor or blender until smooth.
Strawberry Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees and line cupcake pans with liners.
- In a medium bowl, sift flour, salt and baking soda and set aside.
- In a measuring cup, measure out the buttermilk, oil and almond extract.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, press the vanilla bean seeds into the sugar using the back of your spatula. This will release the oils in the seeds into the sugar.
- Add the butter and cream with the vanilla sugar for 1 minute with the mixer on high.
- Add the beaten eggs in three parts. Scrape the bowl and mix for 30 seconds after each addition.
- Add the buttermilk and oil mixture. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix until completely incorporated.
- Fold in the flour using a rubber spatula until no more white can be seen. DO NOT OVER MIX.
- Add the strawberry puree and fold until combined.
- Add a few drops of food coloring to amp up the pink color - this is optional.
- Fill cupcake liners 1/2-2/3 full. Bake for 17-19 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Strawberry Buttercream
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream the butter.
- Add the sifted powdered sugar 1-2 cups at a time and beat on high until smooth after each addition. If the frosting gets too hard to mix, add a the extract and a few tablespoons of the strawberry puree.
- Once all the sugar has been added, add the extract (if you didn't already), salt and the strawberry puree and mix until combined.
- Add up to 1/2 cup heavy cream until you reach your desired consistency. This will vary on the humidity and temperature you're living in.
- Beat frosting on high for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.
Assembly
- Using a Wilton 1M piping tip, pipe swirls of frosting onto each cupcake.
- Top with sprinkles and slices of fresh strawberries.
- Set each cupcake in a Pink Camo Cupcake Wrapper from Bella Cupcake Couture
There were just so many amazing photos of these cupcakes that I just can’t help but share so many with you here! I mean…. how cute are these… really!!?
I can’t decide what I’m more excited about…. the awesome cupcake wrappers from Bella Cupcake Couture, the strawberry cupcakes & the pink camo Army display or the fact that I’m giving away a Prize Pack worth $565!!!!!
Thanks to our amazing Prize Pack sponsors for their generous donations! Please, visit their websites to see more of their fabulous products!
Bella Cupcake Couture
Cupcake Stand
Java Cupcake
Lil’ Punkin Creations
Sweets & Treats Boutique
To enter to WIN this Prize Pack, simply fill out the entry form below. –CONTEST OVER–
Contest opens 21May13 at 0700 PST and closes 27May13 at 2359 PST. One winner will be chosen and announced within 24 hours of the contest ending. Winner will be contacted via email to claim their prize.
This contest is open to residents of the USA and Europe only.
Thanks for the Cupcake Blog Party Betsy and Carrie. I can’t wait to read all the blogs and see everyone’s creations. Good thing I made my coffee already.
My favorite cupcake wrapper is Meisha Bird & Blossom. I love that sweet little bird on the branches.
Thanks for hosting Betsy! I had so much fun participating and I am loving all these creative cupcakes! Adore your pink camo cupcakes of course. š
Thanks Toni! š
These wrappers are amazing. I wish I knew about them for my daughter’s Communion last month. There was one that would’ve been perfect! lol
I love thev pink camou!. How cute! These strawberry cupcakes look gorgeous. Wow.
I like the black & white swirl liners.
I can’t even handle this awesomeness. Those cupcakes on the tank! And the army men! Ahhhh so awesome!
I know, right? š heehehe
I’m loving this wrapper right now! =)
I love the pink camo!
I love how you went all Army with your display of pink camo…soooo cute!!! The tanks and army men are the perfect touch!
What great talent everywhere! Love this š
Hi Betsy! Your camo cupcakes are so adorable and your display is absolutely imaginative! Great choice with the liners, but I think my favorite bella couture liners are the dorothy polka dot liners. The colors are just too fun!
Thank you Katherine! š
Thanks for a chance to win a great prize! All the cupcakes and displays are so cute. Can’t wait to try some of them out.
Was looking at Carrie’s site last night and thinking those pink camo wrappers were so cute. They look beautiful with your strawberry cupcakes. This is an adorable disply and so fitting for you and your family! Thanks for dreaming this contest – I had so much fun participating!
My favorite cupcake wrapper, is the Damask print LuLu Pink / Black š
I love these strawberry cupcakes! Strawberry is my ultimate favorite and the fact that these don’t start with a strawberry cake mix is even better! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
That was fun! I loved looking at all the amazing cupcakes. My favorite wrappers were the blue with branches and birds. The strawberry cupcakes looked the yummiest. I’ll definitely have to try the recipe!
OMG I think this is my favorite of all the liners so far. I love pink camo! The strawberry sounds amazing too! Thanks for having me be a part of the party!
I love the pink camouflage wrappers! And those strawberry-cupcakes looks delicious! I will try out this recept for sure! Lovely greetings from Switzerland!
I like the ones that Crazy for Crust used, although a few of the links wouldn’t work for me so I didn’t get to see them all š
Bex- Can you let me know which ones didn’t work so I can get a fix for them? THANKS!
Because my daughter’s favorite color is green (and she loves cupcakes!), I’d have to say the Emerald Green cupcake wrappers are my favorite. My daughter will be 18 on May 31st š
Thanks for the giveaway!
They look delicious, I need to make them this weekend!
I absolutely love the polka dotted wrappers! Polka dots are my favorite! š
Thanks so so much for organizing this project and for inviting me over.
I’m loving your set up here, so awesome! That strawberry puree is calling my name.. can’t wait for the strawberry season to start here so I can make these!
I love the “Olivia” swirl wrappers. Especially the navy blue ones, they look so classy. š
Thanks so much for inviting us to participate in this blog party event! Those camo ones are adorable, especially in pink! LOVE your cupcake display! š
I LOVE the hot pink! Thanks for organizing!
I love the Dorothy polka dots!
Hi Betsy! These cupcakes are right up my alley!! Strawberries are so fitting with summer š They look so cute – loved how you styled them with the army gear! Thanks again for organizing this awesome giveaway š
I love the Strawberry Camo Cupcakes! I can’t wait to make these this weekend!
i totally love everything about your this, flavor (fresh strawberry puree!), wrappers, and , my boys are all over your army props! So fun, thanks for putting this together!!
I’ve been wanting to make some strawberry cupcakes this summer, and your pretty pink cupcakes definitely inspired me! These would be fun for a wedding shower for a girl marrying an army guy.
Dear,
These are alwesome but what can we use instead of the heavy cream? we do have whipped cream but I think it’s not what you mean in the recipe.
Heavy cream is essential the same as whipped cream. Either can be used. š
I love the pink camo. Adorable
Love how you made camo girly! Love the cupcakes too – they sound delish!
Love your sweet Strawberry Cupcakes and awesome party decorations. Perfect tor you and your family!
Love your sweet Strawberry Cupcakes and awesome party decorations.
Camo strawberry cupcakes are precious! Thank you for the chance to win!
I love all the wrappers but especially the Meisha-Bird with Cherry Blossoms!! It’s so pretty.
I love the Shiny Silver wrappers. So cute.
The swirl & polka dot wrappers are very cute. Really…there are too many to pick a favorite
Pink Camo!!!!
Happy to say I stumbled upon your bog site. I love baking so I’m adding this to the blogs I follow! Thanking you in advance for some (I’m sure) yummy recipes.
I always love reading your posts! You make everything so simple for me. I was so happy you posted this when you did. I have been looking for a strawberry cupcake recipe that did not contain any gelatin mix. Yuck. So when I saw this I knew it was the one! I liked the liners, but my FAVORITE would be the Meisha Bird and Blossom in green. They are adorable.
I feel ya on the gelatin mix. YUCK! Why flavor something with gelatin when you should be using FRESH! š ENJOY!
Those cupcakes look fantastically delicious! And I love the use of all your husbands army things!
My favorite cupcake liner is several actually lol. I LOVE the ones in citrus and bright pink, so pretty!
My favorite is the pink camo followed by a close second is the pink zebra stripe. Thanks for the giveaway and recipes. Good luck everyone.
my favorite is the honeysuckle pink cupcake wrappers (polka dots).
LOVE the creativity that went into these cupcakes! And they look absolutely delicious!
Oh my gosh! I love the tank. What a fun way to dress up cupcakes. Fresh Strawberry cupcakes are all my time favorite.
Betsy- Thank you so much for all you did to put this amazing Cupcake Couture blog party. You definitely brought together an amazing group of bakers and your display is so dreamy!
Love how it has a rustic feel too. You’re so right about how much depth the ribbons adds to the photo. Love the army men, the camo cupcake wrappers pair up with it so great.
What’s fun about this wrapper is how you and your hubby helped us original create this design. I remember asking for your feedback when we were first creating it. Felt appropriate that you received it.
Thanks again! Carrie
Bella Cupcake Couture
I’m not usually a camo girl, but I loveD Yours š
I’m a self taught baker and love to try new recipes so i’ll have to try this strawberry cupcake recipe
I love the wrapper. Thanks for sharing the lovely picture.
I just love the Army themed cupcake display, and I have every intention of doing this exact same display for a welcome-home celebration party! (only changing the color to a camo green) My 19 year old son will be coming home in November, just in time for the holidays, he is an Army combat medic! Hooah! <3
AWESOME! I know Carrie has the green camo wrappers, but they aren’t listed on her web store right now. I’ll ask her about it for you so you can get them for your sons return! š
My favorite, if I have to choose! is the Meisja bird with cherry blossom one. I love it!
I am in LOVE with the polka dots
Love it!! You never run out of ideas. You were obviously made for this =)
I have many favorites! Cant pick just one!
The zebra ones (pink/white)
The green Meisha cupcake wrapper is my favourite! It’s super pretty and I love the bird in the tree. š
love these
Cupcake wrappers – Hannah – Black / White
I absolutely adore the Lu Lu Damask wrappers! They add a bit of sophistication and are so girly!
I love the black and white stripe
Floral Cupcake Wrappers
Love the pink camo!
Cupcake wrappers – Olivia – Soft Pink / Med Grey Includes 50! Thanks for the giveaway!
anything black and white, stripes, dots!
Love love love!!!! Hope i win!!
I love them all! Wish I had found you before now. Crossing my fingers that I’m the winner! I love this font btw, anyone know what it’s called?
Which font are you referring to? š
Personally, I love the pink camo, but I have boys so I’d go with my other favorite – black and white zebra.
So happy to have found your website. So many recipes to choose from!! Now I’m very excited to make cupcakes for my daughters’ 3rd birthday. She loves chocolate and Minnie Mouse š So I’m combining your chocolate cupcake recipe with a strawberry buttercream and strawberry filling. And top it with hardened chocolate shaped like Mickey Mouse.
That sounds wonderful Jamie!! š Please send me pictures…. I’d love to see how they turn out!!!
Hallo,
I live also in Germany. I want to make your Strawberry Buttercream, but here in Germany I don’t know what I used instead of heavy cream.
Could you tell me what do you commonly use for it. Thank you very much.
Regard.
In the German store, I buy schlagsahne, 32% fett. It works the same as heavy cream. š