Strawberry Filled Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

If you like strawberries, then these cupcakes will make you melt.  The strawberry filling and tasty strawberry buttercream are a delight.  I used strawberry ice cream topping as my filling, but you can use pie filling, jam, or preserves as well.  Freeze dried strawberry powder is amazing at adding strawberry flavors to icings without adding excess liquid if you have not tried it before.

Ingredients:

Cupcakes-

1 box funfetti cake mix

1 cup water

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

3 large eggs

1 tablespoon strawberry filling per cupcake

Frosting-

½ pound unsalted butter at room temperature

4 cups powdered sugar

4 tablespoons milk (more if needed to thin frosting)

2 tablespoons powdered freeze-dried strawberries

1 teaspoon strawberry extract

Directions:

1. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners and pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Mix cake mix, water, applesauce, and eggs until combined.
3. Use a medium cookie scooper to halfway fill muffin tins.
4. Add a teaspoon/tablespoon of strawberry filling to each cupcake.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes until cupcakes are set.
6. Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before removing.
7. For frosting use a whisk attachment to mix butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.  Add more milk if needed to get the desired consistency.
8. Add freeze dried strawberry powder and mix to combine.
9. I used a frosting tool with a large tip to frost my cupcakes.
10. Enjoy!