Birthday Sparkling Strawberry Champagne Cupcakes

Today is my little girls 11th. Birthday!  She requested strawberry cupcakes in lieu of a birthday cake.  She's a girl after my own heart as I would much rather decorate cupcakes than a whole cake.

Off I went in search of the perfect gourmet cupcake for the sweet little light of my life!  On my journey I came across these little gems. 

With my heart racing in anticipation of finding the perfect cupcake I glanced at the recipe and what do you know!  It was super simple to boot!

 The strawberry cupcake Gods were listening.

Sparkling Strawberry Cupcakes  
Yield: 24 regular or 12 jumbo

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Ingredients:

• 1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist strawberry cake mix
• 1 1/4 cups champagne, (I used Andre Blush Pink Champagne)
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 egg whites

Ingredients for Champagne Frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup champagne
• 4 to 5 drops red food coloring

Garnish:

• Cupcake Gems shimmer silver
• Edible pearls

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Place paper baking cup in each of 12 jumbo or 24 regular-size muffin cups.
2. In large bowl, combine dry cake mix and champagne. Add oil, eggs. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
3. Bake 17 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
4. In medium bowl, beat frosting ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Frost cupcakes. Sprinkle with shimmer silver and/or pearls.

Adapted from The Cupcake Recipes

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Servings: 1

Calories:  230

Total Fat:  7 g

Cholesterol:  10.2 mg.

Sodium:  148.3 mg.

Protein:  2.5 g.

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