strawberry cupcakes with lime buttercream frosting.

happy tuesday, lovelies! here is the recipe i promised. i made these cupcakes for Easter Sunday... the strawberry and lime flavors are perfect for welcoming in spring (btw spring, where are you? winter has overstayed his welcome). this recipe is very simple. 

i made the frosting first so i could refrigerate it while preparing the cupcakes. i think cold icing is easier to manipulate onto the cupcakes. 

lime buttercream frosting:

• 1 package of cream cheese
• 1 stick of butter
• 3 tbsp of lime juice
• 4 cups of confectioners sugar
• 1 tsp of almond extract 

beat the cream cheese and butter together until mixed. add the lime juice. gradually add the confectioners sugar, about one cup at a time, waiting to add the next cup until mixed. add the almond extract. once frosting is smooth and creamy, put in fridge to chill. 

strawberry cupcakes: 
(makes 24)

• 1 box of white Duncan Hines cake mix
• 1 box of strawberry Jello mixture
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup of oil
• 1/2 cup of diced fresh strawberries

preheat oven to 350 degrees. combine cake mix, jello mix, and oil into mixer and beat. gradually add the eggs, one at a time. add diced strawberries. once mix is completely smooth with no bumps (and a pretty pink color), add your mixture to some pretty cupcake liners and bake for 18-22 minutes. once cupcakes are baked and completely cool, add your frosting.

{yes, i did in fact eat one for breakfast this morning. in the words of kate spade and her merchandise, "eat cake for breakfast." i happen to like this motto very much.} 

have a beautiful tuesday!