STRAWBERRY CHAMPAGNE CUPCAKES

STRAWBERRY CHAMPAGNE CUPCAKES image

Number Of Ingredients 23

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh strawberries , diced
1/2 Tbsp. good Champagne (sweet rose Champagne suggested)
2 1/2 cups flour , sifted
1/2 tsp. baking powder , sifted
1/4 Tsp. salt
8 Tbsp. (4 ounces) unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs , at room temperature
2 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract + seeds from 1 vanilla bean(NOTE: move down to next line...see edits to other recipe)
1 1/4 cups whole milk , at room temperature
Champagne Buttercream Frosting
16 Tbsp. (8 ounces) unsalted butter
4 cups confectioner's sugar , sifted
1 tsp. whole milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 cup good Champagne (sweet rose Champagne suggested)
Strawberry Layer
24 fresh strawberries
1 cup good Champagne (sweet rose Champagne suggested)
Chocolate Ganache
2 cups high-quality semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream

Steps:

Preheat to 350°. Line 2 mini cupcake pans with cups. Dice up 1/2 cup of fresh strawberries and soak in 1/2 cup of Champagne. Set aside. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Place butter in the bowl. Using mixer add the sugar; beat on medium until well mixed Add the eggs one at a time, mixing slowly after each. Combine the vanilla, vanilla bean and milk in a large liquid measuring cup. Reduce the speed to low. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, then add 1/3 of the milk mixture, mix well. Add another 1/3 of the flour mixture then 1/3 of the milk mixture. Add the remaining flour mixture, followed by the remaining milk mixture, and beat just until combined. Gently fold in soaked strawberries. Scoop batter into baking cups and bake for 10 minutes. Cool completely. Step 2: Frosting Place the unsalted butter in a bowl Add the confectioner's sugar; beat on med speed. Add vanilla extract, milk, salt and Champagne and beat on high until fluffy. Place frosting in a disposable piping bag with a large round tip. Step 3: Slice 24 strawberries lengthwise and soak in 1 cup of Champagne for 10 to 15 minutes. Step 4: Chocolate Ganache Fill a medium saucepan with an inch of water over med-low heat. Place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a medium glass bowl over the saucepan and melt the chocolate chips. Stir occasionally until the chips are completely melted. Remove the bowl of melted chocolate from the saucepan. Step 5: Assembling Layers in Champagne Flutes Insert 1 cupcake in the bottom of each glass. Then frosting, then strawberries, then drizzle of chocolate. Repeat layers.