Tea cups and ice cream

I'm sorry I have been MIA the past week. Our school play is this week and we have been practicing like crazy and I haven't had time to bake! This weekend was relaxing and I decided to make tea cup cookies and ice cream cones. Random, I know, but who doesn't love tea parties and ice cream?

Be mine?

Valentines Day is my favorite day of the year. I love everything about it. I love the flowers, hearts, boxes of chocolate, and all the cheesiness.

Tucker took me out to dinner tonight and we had a great time! He is the best Valentine ever and I'm so glad I could spend this day with him! He does so much for me so I decided to make him something special for Valentines Day. I made him a crossword puzzle cookie with clues!

Happy Valentines Day to the best boyfriend EVER!!

Strawberry Cupcakes

Who doesn't love a fresh strawberry cupcake that tastes as good as it looks?

I found a very simple and easy strawberry cake recipe that tasted amazing and everyone loved.

Did I mention it's from Paula Deen?

Strawberry Cupcakes

1 box white cake mix

1 (3-ounce) box of strawberry flavored instant gelatin

1 (15-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed

4 large eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

Strawberry cream cheese frosting

1/4 cup softened butter

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed

1/2 tsp strawberry extract

1/2 tsp vanilla

7 cups confectioners sugar

*fresh strawberries for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake pan with cupcake liners.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix and gelatin. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil, and water. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Use a large ice cream scoop and scoop batter into liners. 

Bake until toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.

For the frosting:

Beat softened butter and cream cheese for a few minutes. Add 1/4 cup of the pureed strawberries (I added a little more than that). Add the extracts and beat until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners sugar, beating well after each addition.

Frost the cupcakes however you like and garnish with strawberries!