Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Yesterday was my best friend, Tamara's birthday.  I was sad that I couldn't be in Wisconsin to celebrate with her, but I am so excited because she is coming in town to celebrate my birthday, which is TWO days away.  This works well since she turned 22 and I wouldn't have been able to go out with her even if I had been in town.  I am turning 21 and I really can't believe it.  I can't wait to celebrate with her in Chicago and I can't wait to FINALLY be 21.  I know you're not supposed to wish you were older, but this is truly a super exciting birthday.  I feel like I've spent years counting down to it.  I mean, turning 19 and 20 was great and all, but it's not nearly as exciting as 21.  I can't wait to finally be able to go out with my friends at school! I am also going to have to make a ton of Boozy Cupcakes now that I will be able to to actually be the one to purchase said booze :).

It is time for the last, but not least, dessert in my trio of desserts from The Dinner Party.  This dessert was so yummy and so easy! Chris knows that I am a bit of a cupcake fanatic and so while she was coming up with fancy french foods, finding great cheese, and choosing wines, I was assigned the task of coming up with a mini cupcake that involved fruit in some way.  I decided on a Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcake.  All you need is a mini chocolate cupcake and then whip up some fresh strawberry buttercream.  That's all there is to it! I already had a great chocolate cupcake recipe that everyone has told me is the best chocolate cake they've ever had.  The weird part about this, it's a "skinny" recipe!  Everyone at the party loved the cupcake and they also thought the frosting was to die for! Then all we did was drizzle a little Sweet Strawberry Balsamic next to the cupcake .  This pushed the dessert over the top as there was that slight tang from the balsamic mingling on the plate with the rest of the desserts.  Mmm, it was so good! And there you have it, the finale of the most epic dinner party I have ever been involved in!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Ingredients:
Mini Chocolate Cupcakes (I used a Skinny Chocolate Cupcake Recipe)
-note: I left out the Espresso Powder since I just wanted plain chocolate without that mocha taste
Strawberry Buttercream (adapted from All Recipes):
1/2 cup pureed strawberries (use a food processor and about 7-10 strawberries, depending on the size)
1 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups, or more powdered sugar, divided

Directions:
1. Make the chocolate cupcakes, let cool.
2. In a stand mixer, beat the butter on high until light and fluffy.  Slowly beat in the 3/4 cup of powdered sugar and 2 tbsp of strawberry puree.  Beat in the vanilla.  Beat in 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 2 tbsp of strawberry puree.  Repeat 3 times.  Add in more strawberry or more powdered sugar depending on your taste preference.  I don't like super sweet frosting so I stopped at 1 1/2 cups and added a little strawberry for a stronger taste there.
3. Frost cupcakes and serve with a drizzle of Sweet Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar.

Enjoy :)