Indulgent Strawberries and Champagne Cupcakes: A Sweet Celebration
There are some desserts that just whisper “celebration,” and these delicate cupcakes, infused with the delightful flavors of champagne and fresh strawberries, are undoubtedly one of them. While perfect for any special occasion, they’re equally enchanting for an everyday moment when you simply want to treat yourself to something extraordinary. Light, effervescent, and beautifully balanced, these cupcakes transform ordinary ingredients into a symphony of taste.
Five Years of Completely Delicious: A Culinary Journey
Today marks a truly special milestone: Completely Delicious is officially five years old! It feels like just yesterday I was hesitantly pressing “publish” on my very first post, a humble recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Who could have known then that this small, personal endeavor would blossom into something so profoundly rewarding? Certainly not me! Yet, here I am, filled with immense joy and gratitude for this incredible journey that has evolved from a passionate hobby into a part-time job and a significant part of my life.
The past five years have been a steep but exhilarating learning curve. I recall the early days of less-than-stellar photos, taken with rudimentary equipment and a naive understanding of food styling. My readership was a handful of supportive friends and family, and the concept of “SEO” was a distant, confusing whisper. Fast forward to today, and I look back with pride at an extensive archive brimming with hundreds of meticulously tested recipes, each accompanied by vibrant, inviting photography. More than that, my inbox is now frequently filled with heartwarming messages of support, questions from fellow home bakers, and stories of shared culinary successes. This website has become a vibrant community, fostering meaningful relationships with readers and other food enthusiasts that I cherish deeply.
Blogging has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of my daily existence. My weekends are often a delightful whirlwind of recipe development and testing, transforming my kitchen into a creative culinary lab. Evenings are dedicated to the meticulous art of photo editing, ensuring every dish looks as irresistible as it tastes. And one of the first things I do each morning? Check in with the vibrant food community on Twitter, soaking in inspiration and connecting with fellow creators. It’s a rhythm of life I couldn’t have envisioned five years ago, but one I wouldn’t trade for anything. It’s a constant source of inspiration, a challenging pursuit, and a truly fulfilling creative outlet.
Reaching five years of blogging feels like a monumental achievement. It signifies that this is more than just a passing interest; it’s a profound dedication, a passion that has shaped my life’s direction. It’s a testament to the joy of sharing, the power of community, and the endless possibilities that unfurl when you pursue something you truly love. And you know what? It’s a wonderful life I’m building, one delicious recipe at a time. I plan on sticking around for many more years to come!
Crafting the Perfect Strawberries and Champagne Cupcakes
To celebrate this incredible milestone, what better way than with cupcakes that embody joy and effervescence? These aren’t just any cupcakes; they’re delicate masterpieces infused with a little bubbly – yes, there’s sparkling wine right in the batter! The champagne imparts a subtle, elegant flavor and contributes to the incredibly light and airy texture, making each bite feel like a cloud of pure delight. The hint of fruitiness from the champagne perfectly complements the fresh strawberry notes. This unique addition elevates a classic cupcake into a sophisticated treat, ideal for a New Year’s Eve party, a birthday, an anniversary, or simply a fancy weekend brunch.
The magic continues with the strawberry buttercream frosting. It’s not just a topping; it’s an integral part of the experience. Made with real strawberry purée, this frosting is vibrant, creamy, and bursting with fresh fruit flavor. Its sweetness is perfectly balanced by the slight tang of the strawberries, creating a harmonious pairing with the subtle champagne cake. The combination is irresistible, making these cupcakes truly stand out. Indulging in a few of these, perhaps alongside a flute of chilled sparkling wine, is precisely how I envisioned celebrating this special day. It’s a toast to the past five years and a sweet anticipation of what’s to come.
Tips for Perfect Champagne Cupcakes
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and sparkling wine are at room temperature. This helps them emulsify better with the other ingredients, leading to a smoother batter and a more uniform, tender crumb.
- Don’t Overmix: After adding the flour mixture, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, dense cupcakes. A few lumps are perfectly fine!
- Quality Champagne: While you don’t need to break the bank, using a sparkling wine you enjoy drinking will ensure a better flavor in your cupcakes. A dry or semi-dry variety works best to balance the sweetness.
- Fresh Strawberries are Key: For the best flavor in your purée, use ripe, sweet strawberries. If fresh aren’t available, frozen (thawed and drained) can work in a pinch.
Serving and Storing Your Celebratory Treats
These champagne and strawberry cupcakes are best enjoyed within a few days of baking. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, especially if your kitchen is warm or if they are frosted. This will keep the buttercream fresh and prevent the cupcakes from drying out. For optimal flavor and texture, allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. They pair wonderfully with an actual glass of sparkling wine, a light sparkling cider, or even just a good cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat.
Thank you, my dear readers, for being an integral part of this incredible journey. Whether you’ve been a loyal follower since the very beginning, delighting in every recipe I’ve shared, or you’re just discovering Completely Delicious for the very first time today, please know how much I appreciate your presence. Your comments, shares, and enthusiasm fuel my passion and make all the hours in the kitchen and behind the computer screen worthwhile. It truly means the world to me that you let me share my baking adventures with you.
Here’s to five more years of delicious recipes, shared moments, and culinary exploration. Cheers!
Strawberries and Champagne Cupcakes
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Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour (280 grams)
- 1 ½ cup granulated sugar (300 grams)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup strawberries , sliced (135 grams)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sparkling wine (237 ml, 8 fl oz)
- 1 cup vegetable oil (237 ml, 8 fl oz)
For the frosting:
- 1 ½ cup unsalted butter (340 grams)
- 4 cups powdered sugar , sifted (455 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of salt
- 3-4 tablespoons strawberry purée
Instructions
To make the cupcakes:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners or grease with butter and flour.
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Pureé strawberries in a food processor or blender. Measure out ½ cup of the pureé and reserve the rest for the frosting.
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In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the eggs, champagne, ½ cup pureéd strawberries and oil on medium high speed until thoroughly combined, about 2 minutes. Add the flour mixture in 2 additions, mixing after each.
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Pour the batter into the prepared muffin pan, filling each cup ¾ full. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake come out clean, about 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely.
To make the frosting:
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium high speed until light and smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, salt and strawberry purée and mix on medium speed until smooth. Add additional pureé if needed to get the desired consistency.
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Frost cupcakes with the frosting. Store in the fridge. Cupcakes will keep for several days.
Notes
NOTES
- If you’d like to leave out the champagne, substitute with water or milk.
- If desired, strain strawberry purée before using.
Cupcake recipe adapted from The Food Network. Frosting recipe adapted from Sweetapolita.