Strawberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Recipe

When juggling busy lives and coping up with pregnancy hormones, it's not always easy to find the time to spend with my daughter or prepare a simple dessert. However, I made a resolution for 2016 to bake anything from scratch and have more bonding time with her. And I was, in fact, craving for cupcakes!

I was once obsessed with taking pictures and eating cupcakes. I didn't know why I'm helpless against these oh-so-yummy cupcakes (aside from its addictive nature) but I wasn't that eager to bake. But now, I'm open to baking just about anything.

I am not a professional baker but Maya Pancakes came to the rescue via the  Newgen Baker website where I got the magical recipe, Strawberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream. You'll find age-appropriate recipes with kid-friendly tasks (labeled K) so you can determine where your child fits in. And the recipes? All simple.

Today, I'm sharing another easy recipe and spreading sugar highs to everyone! That's because the cravings for strawberry cupcakes in my head are in charge. Turns out, I'm not the only one with a bad case of cravings because Maia likes strawberries too.

We had one goal: to finally become the (self-proclaimed) "Cupcake Queen and Princess." Well, mission accomplished.

Here, a list of ingredients for the Strawberry Cupcakes:

1 pack MAYA Pancake and Baking Mix 350g
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 cup strawberry jam
1/4 cup water

First, preheat oven to 350 F/11 C. Line your muffin pans with cupcake liners. Set aside.

Combine and mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.

Make sure that you use my (highly) recommended sifted mix, MAYA Pancake and Baking Mix, because not all baking mixes are equal. I believe anything baked with Maya can be made into a thing of wonder. The mix is smooth and there's no trace of any angry, hard lump. It adds air and volume to the batter, creating a lighter, tastier and much fluffier cupcake. And that, my friend, is the reason why Maya Pancake and Baking Mix reigns superior in our baking sesh.

Fill each cupcake liner about 3/4  full with cupcake batter by scooping into each hole.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Then, remove from pan and allow to cool completely before frosting. Cool on the rack completely.

Here are the ingredients for the Vanilla Buttercream;

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
4 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To make the frosting, use a mixer or wooden spoon, cream butter and shortening together until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add the sugar followed by milk and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. You can add more sugar to reach desired consistency. Lastly, pipe or spread on top of cooled cupcakes.

By the time we got to actually making the Vanilla Buttercream, it proved to be adorable, soft and fluffy, and best of all, yummy. It got a little messy but it's definitely tastier than a regular icing, and more fun to make.

We garnished our cupcakes with a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting and the perfect pinch of fresh strawberry.  This is where Maia had a lot of fun.  Actually, you can literally top the cupcakes with anything. Decorate in any way you like, they look perfect as they are but by any means, add some sprinkles, choco chips or top with fresh strawberries like we did!

I'm sure you're all wondering, how did it taste? Hmm, well it must be good because the taste testers (basically, Maia and her dad) loved these! This recipe is an absolute must-try!

Even though I had to whip a storm and a half, and I almost had a burn for being so careless, it was totally worth it to get a tiny red strawberry cupcake to perk up my day, and another lovely cupcake to share with my daughter. The recipe was quick and easy to make but Maia claimed the recipe was super easy. Clearly, we have different definitions of easy. :) Sometimes, as a mom, I have that know-it-all attitude. At other times, I could learn a thing or two from my daughter and I learned how to have fun! When you smile from the inside out, it's a beautiful thing plus, I think she has a bigger sweet tooth than me.

In my efforts to create a magical moment for my daughter, I always make sure to spend more time with her. I believe baking is a fun way to get together and just enjoy each others' company and take care of that sweet tooth we both have. Seriously, it is meant to satisfy you and your kid's aching sweet tooth. We had so much fun baking, preparing the ingredients, mixing, chatting with each other and learning some helpful baking tips and tricks along the way. What else can be better? :)

Follow me on Instagram and check out the other recipes;
Oatmeal Honey Cookies Recipe
Peanut Butter and Choco Chip Cake Recipe
Fun Cakes 

Hope you have super sweet weekend!