Cupcakes for Miss Sandy

My friend, Sandy, lives on a farm with her husband Tony. She has cows, goats, chickens and dogs. Her chickens lay pink and green eggs! Miss Sandy is very nice and gave my family tickets to the circus for Christmas! For her birthday I thought it would be nice to make her some strawberry cupcakes with chocolate dipped strawberries on top!

Here is the recipe:

Strawberry Cupcakes

1 boz vanilla cake mix
1 small box strawberry jello mix

1 1/4 cup pureed strawberries

1/2 cup oil

4 eggs (pink ones if you have any!)
1 tsp vanilla

                              

Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix according to the directions on the cake box.

Scoop into baking cups and bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.


Now it's time to make the chocolate dipped strawberries!

Start by gently brushing the soil off each strawberry with a pastry brush. Don't wash them with water or they will get mushy.

On low heat, place a stainless steel bowl on top of a small pan filled with an inch of water. This will make a "double boiler". Then pour a package of semisweet chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons of oil into the bowl. Stir until melted.

When chocolate is completely melted, dip each strawberry and place on a wax paper lined sheet pan.

Cool in the fridge until chocolate is set.

Now let's make the chocolate glaze!



Chocolate Ganache Glaze

2/3 cup heavy cream 

4 tablespoons confectioners sugar

4 tablespoons water
7 oz semi sweet chocolate

Place the cream, sugar and water in a small sauce pan. Bring it to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in the chocolate until it is melted.

Dip each cupcake in the chocolate glaze making sure that the tops are completely covered.

Place a chocolate dipped strawberry on top of each cupcake.

Miss Sandy loved the cupcakes I made for her!

Here we are in her farmhouse kitchen with the pink and green eggs on the counter in the background!

BALLET CLASS!!!