I've Got You Covered!... with Chocolate, that is...

I made these on Easter Sunday since it's  relaxing day for us in my house, There were some chocolate covered strawberries in my fridge and some extra strawberries so I decided to utilize it ALL. You know, I didn't want anything to spoil and go to waste... hehehe! =]

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

For chocolate cupcakes

Adapted from Hello, Cupcake!

Ingredients:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 1 cup buttermilk (instead of water)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard cupcake pan with 18-24 cupcake papers (depends on how fluffy you want your cupcakes)
2. Beat together all of the ingredients with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 2 minutes or until almost all lumps are gone
3. Divide batter evenly among cups (I like mine fluffy, I add about 1/3 cup of batter to each cup, usually about 3/4 full) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
4. Allow cupcakes to cool slightly and then move to wire rack to cool completely.

For Strawberry Buttercream

Adapted from Martha Stewart

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp strawberry puree (approx 8 fresh strawberries)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' (powdered) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Puree strawberries with a food processor (my Magic Bullet worked just as well =] )
2. In a bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together butter on medium speed until light and fluffy
3. Reduce speed of mixer and slowly add confectioners' sugar, and beat until well combined
4. Add vanilla and strawberry puree, and mix until just blended (If frosting is too thick, add more puree, if it's too liquidy, add more sugar)

AND OF COURSE, PIPE ON COLD STRAWBERRY BUTTERCREAM AND TOP WITH A CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY... AND ENJOY! =]