Strawberry Cupcakes with Fresh Basil Buttercream


Disclaimer: this is not a kid cupcake. Well, unless your kid likes balsamic vinegar and basil.... I don't think I know any of those. And I know a lot of kids!


I made these cupcakes on Saturday with the intention of taking some to the Mother's Day Lunch at my sister's house. Friday night I was listening to House Hunters while back at the job search (job hunting sucks, btw) and a craving hit me. I was craving strawberries and balsamic and I thought "oohh basil, too!". It was well past dinner time, so naturally I began thinking dessert-- a cupcake! Yumm...




These cupcakes were well received. The basil butter cream doesn't have a super strong basil flavor, but compliments the strawberry flavor of the cake nicely. The tangy and sweet strawberries in the middle are a nice surprise and adds a more complex flavor. The cake is sweet, because let's be real, it's cake.... but everything else is more savory which creates a good balance for a "grown up" cupcake. 



Strawberry Cupcakes with Balsamic Soaked Strawberries and Fresh Basil Buttercream

Cupcakes:
1 box Strawberry Cake Mix- such as Pilsbury (18.25oz) + water, vegetable oil, and eggs- directions on back of box

Balsamic Strawberries
1/4 lb of fresh strawberries- diced
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

Fresh Basil Buttercream
6 large leaves basil, roughly torn
1 stick butter- divided in half
1/3 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

Mix and Bake cupcakes as per package directions. As cupcakes are baking, pour balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan and set on medium heat. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes, or until it coats the back of a spoon. Let cool and then add in diced strawberries to soak.
For buttercream, melt 1/2 a stick of butter in microwave for aprx 20 seconds. Combine basil leaves and melted butter. Combine well and let cool until solid again. Add other 1/2 stick of butter and whip. Add in powdered sugar and ricotta cheese, mixing thoroughly.
*Note- if you store the icing in the fridge, you'll  need to bring the icing back to room temp to spread on the cupcakes.

When cupcakes are cooled, cut out a chunk of the center to add strawberries. Drain the balsamic from the strawberries and spoon them into each cupcake being careful not to overfill.
Top with Fresh Basil Buttercream and enjoy!

Comments

  1. This is like the best idea ever! I have been kicking around an idea for a strawberry balsamic shortcake, and now I may have to throw some basil in there- yum! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are so intriguing! I feel like going home right now to make them. I'd love for you to bring these to Tuesday's Table - http://zentmrs.blogspot.com/2013/05/tuesdays-table-for-may-14-2013-and.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have to meet my kids :) All 3 of my girls adore both basil and balsamic vinegar so I know they would love these cupcakes. And I gotta tell ya, so would I!!! This is pretty much my favorite flavor combination in cupcake form. Definitely need to make these in my kitchen soon. Thanks for the lovely recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Susan,

    Hi! I like how you mixed sweet and savory flavors. Did you find that the balsamic vinegar brings out the flavor and richness of the strawberries?

    Cheers,
    Marie

    A new fan visiting today from Totally Tasty Tuesdays.

    ReplyDelete
  5. These sound amazing. I need to try these out very soon and use the basil I'm growing in my herb garden.

    (visiting via Southern Fairytale)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! What an absolutely unique use of those flavors! I've had balsamic vinegar and strawberries and basil desserts, but never in the form of a cupcake!

    Love this idea! Thank you so much for linking it up!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I Love,love love this. I love basil and can't wait for more ideas to use it fresh from the garden.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by and reading, wont you leave me a little note? Comments make me feel special and cool.