STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, gently mix sliced strawberries and 4 tbsp. granulated sugar. Cover and place in refrigerator for at least an hour.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Place cupcake liners in 18 standard-sized muffin tins.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs at medium speed for four minutes until pale yellow and fluffy.
• Add sugar and continue beating for another four minutes or so until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and beat for another few seconds.
• In a separate medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a saucepan or in the microwave using low heat, melt the butter then add the milk and heat just until lukewarm.
• With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients, followed by the milk and butter mixture. Beat just until combined. Batter will be fairly runny.
• Divide the batter evenly between 18 muffin cups.
• Bake for 15 - 18 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
• Let cupcakes stand in pan for 10 minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the pan and place on a wire rack. Cool completely.
• Make the whipped cream frosting. Beat the whipping cream with a stand mixer or hand mixer (affixed with the whisk attachment if you have one), until stiff peaks begin to form. Sprinkle in the sugar and vanilla and beat for another few seconds. Set aside.
• With a sharp serrated knife, slice off the tops of the cupcakes and set aside.
• Poke just the cupcake (not the top) five to six times with a bamboo skewer. Remove the strawberries from the refrigerator and spoon the liquid from the strawberries over each poked cupcake, about a teaspoon or two each.
• Spoon whipped cream over each cupcake, then, using your fingers, add a layer of sliced strawberries one by one. Carefully place the top back on the cupcake, then top with more whipped cream and more strawberries. Garnish with a tiny whole strawberry, if desired.
• Best served within two hours of assembling.