Strawberry Basil Cupcakes

I love dreaming up new cupcake flavors - by that I mean that I LITERALLY dream about new cupcakes flavors at night.  This strawberry basil cupcake did NOT come to me in a dream however - the inspiration for this dreamy cupcake came via Pinterest.  (Lets face it - Pinterest IS a pretty much a dream.)  

Two of my favorite flavors of summer are juicy, red strawberries and fresh, green basil.  It only made sense to combine these flavors into one super delicious cupcake bursting with summer freshness.  I absolutely love the pink and green color combination and I loved the flavor even more.  

Strawberry Basil Cupcakes

• 3/4 cup butter, softened at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup diced fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup strawberry puree
• Basil Buttercream
• fresh strawberries for garnish

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs, one at a time. 

Beat in vanilla, strawberry puree and fresh strawberries.

Add dry ingredients, alternating with milk. 

Scoop into paper lined cupcake pans. 

Bake 22 minutes at 350.

Allow to cool completely on a wire rack. 

Prepare a batch of basil buttercream by stirring 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil and a drop of green food coloring into swiss meringue buttercream.  Frost cupcakes with a swirl of buttercream and top with a fresh strawberry.

I recognize that this may seem like a strange flavor combination to many of you.  I'll be honest, the concept of infusing herbs into a basic buttercream is new for me.  I can tell you that this wont be my last herbed buttercream though - I loved it THAT much.  This is definitely a cupcake that you need to TRY before you form and opinion.  

Ciao!

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