Champagne Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream

What is it about champagne that feels so celebratory? The chilled bubbles, the clink of slender glasses, the whole thing just feels fun and festive. And nothing goes better with champagne than strawberries. In fact, strawberries are purported to actually enhance the flavor of champagne. We all learned that from Pretty Woman, right? I love serving these Champagne Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream on any special occasion that needs celebrating.

What do champagne cupcakes taste like?

It’s always interesting to watch people’s reactions when they try these Champagne Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream. Some people say they can taste the champagne right away and others say they can’t taste it at all. But everyone agrees that they have a sweet, light taste with just the slightest hint of effervescence.

Making the Strawberry Buttercream

But if I’m being completely honest, the real star of this show is the strawberry buttercream. I could literally eat it by the spoonful (which I don’t really recommend, but completely understand if it comes to that).

There are some recipes out there that require you to cook the strawberries down, but I have found that you don’t really need that step. Simply puree them in a blender and add them to the buttercream. You don’t even need to add sugar. The fresh flavor of pure strawberry puree makes this buttercream completely addictive. And any leftover puree can be used in smoothies, cocktails or poured over ice cream.

The kind of champagne you use doesn’t really matter, but since you’ll only be using a cup of it for the cupcakes, be sure to use something that you’ll enjoy drinking afterwards. I once tried to use pink champagne, hoping it might impart a pretty color to the cupcakes, but it did not have any effect. If you want pink champagne cupcakes, you’ll have to add a few drops of food coloring.

These Champagne Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream are an elegant addition to any shower or luncheon, a romantic dessert at Valentine’s Day and a pretty ending to any springtime meal. Enjoy!

Champagne Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream

A sweet, elegant and festive dessert for all of your special celebrations

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 25 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 1 dozen

Ingredients

  

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The Cupcakes

• 2 cups flour
• 2 sticks unsalted butter room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 cup champagne
• 2/3 cup whole milk

The Buttercream Frosting

• 13 oz. confectioners sugar
• 6 oz. salted butter
• 6 oz. fresh strawberries stems cut and pureed in a blender so it yields 1/4 cup of puree
• 2-3 Tbsp. heavy cream

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners or coat with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder. Beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in the milk and champagne until combined. It might be slightly lumpy. That's ok.
• Pour batter 2/3 of the way full into each cupcake liner. Bake 18-20 minutes until a tester comes out clean.
• To make the buttercream, beat the butter and confectioner’s sugar together with an electric or stand mixer. Then beat in the strawberry puree until smooth. Add the heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.

Keyword cake, dessert

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