cupcake wars #2

Sydney and I are trying our hands at a different cupcake recipe this week. Last time we did chocolate cupcakes with a chocolate and caramel filling and a peanut butter frosting. They were insanely good. This time around Sydney wanted chocolate and strawberries, so that's what we did! We did a chocolate cupcake, with a chocolate strawberry ganache filling and strawberry frosting. It is SO yummy!!

my trusty baking assistant

our observer/judge finishing his lunch

hm...looks like more tasting than baking :)

all the goods ready to go!

yum!

and now we get to enjoy!!

And the recipes....

Chocolate Cupcakes

Chocolate Strawberry Ganache filling
2/3 cup (about 4.5 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup strawberries, finely chopped (I used food processor)
-Heat cream until it bubbles and then pour over chocolate chips
-Let sit for 1 minute and whisk until combined
-Add vanilla and strawberries and stir until combined
-Put in refrigerator to chill for approximately 20 min (or until it thickens to desired texture)
.
Strawberry Frosting (adjusted from my sister's friend, Felicia's recipe)
*this was for a half batch of cupcakes
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening (I used Crisco)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup chopped strawberries
2-4 cups powdered sugar
Milk as needed
-Cream butter and shortening together until smooth.
-Add sugar 1 cup at a time until blended. Add strawberries a little at a time until desired flavor/color. Add milk to create correct texture
*My buttercream separated a bit. I probably could have fixed it but didn't notice until we started piping frosting on it. Maybe too much liquid from strawberries? Not sure, something to do better next time :)