The kiss had been coming for chapters. Every near-touch, every shared laugh, every moment they almost said the words. And when it finally arrived, it wasn’t a wildfire; it was soft, sweet, and just right.
That’s the feeling behind these cupcakes. A blush without a burn. A moment that makes your heart flutter, not race.
Recipe: Blush Without Burn Strawberry Cupcakes
Ingredients (makes 12)
Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup finely diced fresh strawberries
Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp strawberry puree (blend fresh strawberries until smooth)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
- Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk, mixing just until combined. Fold in diced strawberries.
- Divide batter evenly among liners. Bake 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- For frosting: beat butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in strawberry puree, vanilla, and salt until fluffy and pink.
- Pipe or spread frosting over cooled cupcakes. Garnish with a small slice of strawberry or a sugar pearl for that final blush.
Book Pairing
These cupcakes are the perfect match for a closed-door, friends-to-lovers romance. Sweet, slow, tender…the kind of story (and dessert) you savor.
Because sometimes love is best served soft, pink, and full of promise. One bite, one kiss, one happily ever after.
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