This post features recipes for a Strawberry Gin Cocktail and Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes. A fresh fruit and citrus cocktail paired with a creamy cupcake makes a perfect treat for Valentine's Day, special occasions, or any strawberry lover!
The adventures of a Cocktail and a Cupcake continue and this time it's all things Strawberry!! We picked an entire flat of Hood Strawberries and I couldn't wait to make anything and everything with them! Here are the recipes for a Strawberry Gin Cocktail and Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes.
First, the cocktail! I came up with this drink using all of my favorite things: gin, strawberries, elderflower, and lime. I added an egg white to add an extra creamy and frothy texture, but you can omit if you want to.
Strawberry Gin Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce Elderflower Liqueur (I used St. Germain)
- ½ lime, juiced
- ⅓ cup fresh strawberries, rinsed and stems removed
- 1 large egg white
- 1 strawberry for garnish
Instructions
- Place strawberries, lime juice, and the half lime that was juiced in the bottom of the shaker and muddle together for about 10-15 seconds.
- Add gin, elderflower liqueur, and egg white. Place on lid and dry shake (no ice) for about 20 seconds.
- Remove the lid, add fresh ice, and continue to shake for another 10-15 seconds.
- Double strain into your favorite glass. This takes a little patience because the strawberry seeds and pulp can create a little clog once in a while. Just use a spoon to move them aside on your strainer. Garnish with a strawberry and enjoy!
Notes
*The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers it safe to use raw eggs if they are pasteurized. Bottom Line: Raw eggs may contain a type of pathogenic bacteria called Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning. However, the risk of an egg being contaminated is quite low. Please proceed at your own risk and decide if you are ok with this. I have never had an issue.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
And now, the cupcakes! I made mini cupcakes because I knew these were going to be very rich. Plus, you can have more than one and not feel as guilty ?.
Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
Ingredients
Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1½ tablespoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup fresh strawberries, chopped into small pieces
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 3-3½ cups powdered confectioner sugar
- 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening (or unsalted butter)
- ½ cup cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- red gel food coloring
- graham cracker crumbles for topping (optional)
Instructions
Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 325°F and prepare a cupcake pan with paper liners.
- Place flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and butter in a mixer and beat on low speed until combined. Pour in milk and vanilla and turn up the speed to medium. Add egg and continue mixing until the batter is smooth.
- Place a thin layer of strawberries at the bottom of each cupcake liner. Fill each cup with batter and bake for 18-20 minutes for mini cupcakes.
- Remove from oven when a toothpick comes out clean, let them sit in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Start with shortening and cream cheese in a stand mixer or large bowl and beat until smooth. Add confectioners sugar, ½ cup at a time, until desired sweetness is achieved. Add the gel food coloring and mix until combined.
- Frost the cooled cupcakes, garnish with graham cracker crumbles if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- If you don't want mini cupcakes, this recipe will make 12 regular sized cupcakes.
- Cupcake recipe inspired by Hummingbird Bakery cookbook.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
I wasn't happy about the color of the frosting (electric pink was not what I was going for), but they tasted so good I just went with it. Next time, I think I will leave it white or try a different pink. These cupcakes have cut-up fresh strawberries at the bottom and homemade cheesecake frosting on top sprinkled with crunched-up graham crackers. Since they are mini, you can eat them in 1 or 2 bites and they seriously taste just like Strawberry Cheesecake!
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