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This is an unsteady, unstable shaky breaky world in which we live.

We go from thirty degrees and hailing to sixty-five and sunny over the course of days.

We dance around our room in our underwear to embarrassingly cheesy showtunes and then look out our windows to see three construction men watching us.  Unabashedly.

(They’re already robbing us of all of our natural light with the monstrosity they’re building…the least they could do is avert their eyes!)

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One day we’re training for a marathon and the next, our orthopedists are telling us that we should really buy a bike.  (Although in New York City, is that really the safer option?  I have my doubts.)

We get broken up with via text message after a perfectly lovely make-out session outside the F train station a mere four days ago (!?!?).

Yup, that happens.

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Yes, indeed.  This world is full of truly inexplicable dizzying erratic unreliable precarious situations.

And that’s why we need cupcakes.

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Because (and I don’t care what anyone says about how they were “so in” two years ago but now it’s really the year of the hand pie or homemade pop tart or some other trendy confection) they are timelessly delicious.

Because biting into that perfect ratio of lush and brightly strawberry-flavored cake to cream cheese frosting has the power to make your day.

And because, especially when they’re this pretty-in-pink, they are the perfect excuse to gather up all the lovely ladies in your life and celebrate the fact that even when everything else is spinning, there are some things that will stay still forever.

Best friends and good cupcakes.  That’s really all you need sometimes.

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Pink Lady Cupcakes
Makes 36-40 or one layer cake, adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients

      For the cake:

    • 4 1/2 cups cake flour
    • 3 cups sugar
    • 5 1/4 tsp baking powder
    • 3/4 tsp salt
    • 3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
    • 1 1/2 cups pureed frozen strawberries
    • 8 egg whites
    • 2/3 cup almond milk or lowfat milk
    • hint of pink food gel

For the frosting:

  • 3 (8 oz) packages 1/3 less fat Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups sifted confectioners sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

 

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350.  Line cupcake tins with liners.
  2. Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixer bowl. With the mixer on low speed, blend for 30 seconds.  Add the butter and strawberry puree and mix to blend.  Raise the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.  The batter will resemble strawberry ice cream at this point.
  3. In another large bowl, whisk together the egg whites, milk and food gel.  Add the whites to the batter in two or three additions, scraping down the sides of the bowl and mixing only to incorporate after each addition.  Divide the batter among the cupcake liners, filling until 3/4 full.
  4. Bake the cupcakes for 15-20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted comes out clean.  Let sit in tin for five minutes, then move to wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.
  5. In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy.  Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners’ sugar.  Frost cupcakes.

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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128 Responses to Pink Lady Cupcakes (Strawberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting)

  1. I want one of those cupcakes for breakfast. Cream cheese is a breakfast food, right?

  2. Sorry to hear the sad news. On a positive note SMS is faster that post!

    Those construction guys are merely paying respect to the beautiful nature. Its also a way of relaxing to increase productivity:) Maybe!

  3. LOL! Your humor just kills me- it makes my day reading your post- but what really made my day is the look and mere thought of popping one of those cupcakes in my mouth! Oh help me!

  4. Lea Ann says:

    I’m with the first comment, I want one of these for breakfast Joanne! They look wonderful.

  5. They’re so pretty. Everybody needs some pink cupcakes in their life!

  6. bellini says:

    A cipcake pretty in pink would be pretty hard to resist Joanne!!

  7. Danielle says:

    These look so good – I think I need to make these for my daughters birthday!

  8. Ben says:

    Sorry, I didn’t mean to look but your music was too loud and then I couldn’t stop looking at you dancing, hehe. I agree the world is crazy and that’s why we need delicious sweets. I love the frosting!

  9. Pam says:

    Yep, these are the perfect remedy for the world today.

  10. cupcakes will never be out of style, and these look fabulous. I want to stay home all day and make these and sit in my snuggie and eat them and watch Grease.

  11. Elizabeth says:

    First of all, your frosting job is stunning. Second, want.

  12. Wow, the pink color of these cupcakes is amazing! These cupcakes should win some sort of beauty contest. And obviously, without a doubt they’d win a taste contest!!

  13. Boy, you sure do know how to bounce back 🙂 Cupcakes are the key to resiliancy, proven once again. Classy treats from a classy cook! Thanks for sharing!

  14. now we’re dancing around to showtunes in our undies? lololol

  15. Sofia says:

    cupcakes heal all wounds. boys are stupid. keep on keepin’ on.

    (it’s early. that’s all i’ve got except for these look great!)

  16. Oh man! These looks so good! I love strawberry, never thought of putting them in cupcakes! To perfect! I love it!

  17. MM says:

    I love the honesty and truth in your writing. Keep on dancin’!

    (sorry about the text–that’s pretty crappy)

  18. They are so beautiful! Love the colour contrast..white and deep purple..lovely.

  19. brandi says:

    break up over text message? boo to that.

    but yay to cupcakes! please bring these over and i’ll make you a grilled cheese 🙂

  20. Claudia says:

    You really had me missing NYC for awhile – even the construction guys! The welcoming cupcakes might make me feel less homesick!

  21. serena says:

    These look so dainty and delectable!

  22. Julie says:

    Thank goodness for cupcakes…pink ones at that!

  23. Foodycat says:

    Those cupcakes look like the perfect cure for life’s troubles!

  24. Jenna says:

    I love your recap of why these are necessary in your life. And . . . by text? Really??? What is the world coming to when you get broken up with by text? Let my voice of dissent be raised!

  25. We all need some consistency in our lives. I’ll take it in the form of cupcakes.

  26. Shawnda says:

    Cupcakes make the world go round. And they always will 🙂

  27. Amy says:

    Actually the latest craze is everything made in a mason jar. Cake, macaroni and cheese…today I saw Chicken Cordon Bleu. In a jar. Ew. But you’re right, cupcakes never ever get old. And bacon.

  28. Oh my, the color of these cupcakes… amazing!

    ?
    Camila Faria

  29. These look too pretty to eat! But that’s not gonna stop me 🙂 Love these pink beauties!

  30. Nicole, RD says:

    Texting is NOT a means by which any important message should be conveyed. Seriously, dude?! Douche. *hugs*

    I wanna cupcake.

  31. Betsy says:

    Eeeeew what a jerk! Cupcakes are the shit. Screw those macarons, cupcakes conquer all!

  32. Claudie says:

    Lovely cupcakes!! Nice texture, colors, and of course — frosting on top.

    As for the guy — his loss!

    PS: those construction workers of yours -> they must feel like they have the best job ever 🙂

  33. Esi says:

    Cucpcakes certainly help the breakup process. I should bake these for a friend.

  34. Well, text messaging wasn’t around when I was dating but I would liken this to a guy getting his best friend to break up with you. Which is equally lame. I don’t care how good a kisser he was, he’s lame. You’re better off with cupcakes.

  35. Nicole says:

    Yeah for make out sessions, boo for breaking up via text – poor form. Yeah for strawberry cupcakes! Mmmmmm! I love almost all foods red and pink!

  36. koshercorvid says:

    I’m not sure which is worse behavior: spying on silly underwear dances, or breaking up by text. Some men don’t deserve baked goods. Ever.

    Would substituting raspberries work for these lovely cupcakes? They’re making me very hungry but I’m allergic to strawberries.

  37. Erica says:

    Those cupcakes look delicious….I love the pink color…really cute! The pictures are amazing,Joanne!

  38. That Girl says:

    I’ll use any excuse for a cupcake. Unpredictablity is as good as any other!

  39. sally says:

    Glad you were able to comfort yourself with cupcakes! I think I need one too!

  40. Nisrine says:

    Oh, gosh, Joanne. I love everything pink and I would be totally dangerous around cupcakes like these.

  41. Your cupcakes are gorgeous and I have lost all respect for text message guy. Does he realize what delicious food he is missing out on for the rest of his life?

  42. Veronica says:

    OMgosh, I’m so sorry about the break up. What a jerk! I’m sure there are a few construction workers who might be interested, though. 🙂 As for the cupcakes, I’m so thrilled to see a scratch recipe that doesn’t call for strawberry jello! They look just perfect.

  43. betty says:

    they look really cute! I bet they taste great

  44. I’m with you – cupcakes are always delicious. That’s a ton of egg whites though. Wonder what you’ll do with the yolks. I can never seem to coordinate my egg white and yolk use successfully.

  45. RJ says:

    F train dude has no idea what he’s missing out on. these cupcakes look brilliant– I wonder what they would taste like with strawberry lemonade mix?

  46. Kristen says:

    Cupcakes are classics…no trendiness needed.

  47. Candace says:

    Those cupcakes are goooorgeous, Joanne!

  48. I want to shove a cupcake in his face! Who makes out on a train then comes up with some excuse 4 days later why y’all can’t do it again? My guess is he has a girlfriend. Or a wife. Ew.

    Sorry for the heartbreak 🙁 but yes, cupcakes & best girl friends are forever! xo

  49. OohLookBel says:

    You are a surprising girl (no, not the dancing around in underwear thing) – I thought you were all about the colourful pastas and salads, and then you come up with this wondrous creation. It’s so pretty and tasty, too, I bet, even without any sugar.

  50. via text message!? cupcakes are definitely in order.

  51. Deborah says:

    Cupcakes will always be in in my world. And these are gorgeous ones!

  52. vianney says:

    via text message, what a loser!! cupcakes will ALWAYS be in,lol, lovely shade of pink!!

  53. Carolyn Jung says:

    Strawberry cupcakes are impossible to resist. There’s a bakery in Berkeley that is famous for its strawberry cupcakes. Like you, they use the real-deal berries, too, which makes ALL the difference.

  54. They are beyond pretty!!!! I need to start making cupcakes again 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration 😀

  55. Stupid boys…break uppers AND skeezy construction men. Not a proud week for those with a Y chromosome.

    I am a strong believer that anything strawberry and in cake form makes everything right in the world.

  56. These cupcakes look like they could cure any ill the world has to offer. great photos!

  57. Natalie says:

    life just isn’t fair EVER is it? thank goodness for cupcakes in situations like these!

  58. Mo 'Betta says:

    These are the prettiest pink cupcakes I’ve ever seen. Boys are stupid.

  59. Megan says:

    The color of the cake is so perfect and so captivating.

  60. Cupcakes will never go out of style. Especially pink ones. 🙂

  61. Reeni says:

    I’m sorry about the break up! Especially the way it happened. Cupcakes like this make me feel so girly! They can erase all cares and worries, I’m certain of it.

  62. I love cupcakes. Reason # 576 why I love NYC….CUPCAKES. The color is so pretty. How did you not eat them all in one sitting.

  63. polwig says:

    What a coward, he needs grow some balls. Maybe you should get a bike and run him over next time you see him. Sorry for the legs, not sorry for the guy, you deserve someone much better.
    Love the cupcakes btw and the photo of the bitten one is amazing. Wait I have my kids bday party this weekend, I should make them in pink (strawberry for girls) and in blue (blueberry for boys)… Thank you Joanne !!!

  64. These look so moist and delicious! 🙂

  65. i loooove strawberry cupcakes! so girly and fun 🙂

  66. Shoes says:

    Hey guys,
    I am fan for this dish. It is really delicious!!! WOW!! 🙂

  67. debbie says:

    I will be thinking of these babies big time when I have my afternoon coffee today. Wow, they look so delicious!

  68. Sanjeeta kk says:

    Oh..that first click is just short of coming into my mouth 🙂 What lovely color and cup cakes, Joaane!

  69. Faith says:

    Oh wow…I’m floored! Strawberry cake is Mike’s all-time favorite and he’s always bugging me to make it for him! I haven’t found or come up with a recipe that we’re 100% happy with yet, but I think yours is it, Joanne! I will definitely be trying it next time he requests strawberry cake, lol!

  70. OMG Joanne. You’re so awesome! Have got to make fancy cupcakes one day. Love that the ‘pink’ is coming from strawberry! 🙂

  71. Catherine says:

    Dear Joanne, These cupcakes look moist and delicious!! The cream cheese frosting looks so perfect! Blessings for a beautiful day, Catherine xo

  72. they look cute !! love the pink color…

  73. Miriam says:

    This looks delicious – I would love to try the recipe. When you write 1.5 cups pureed frozen strawberries do you measure the 1.5 cups when the strawberries are still whole or is it 1.5 cups after it’s pureed?
    Thanks!

  74. Joanne says:

    Miriam – it’s 1.5 cups after they’re pureed! Let me know how they turn out of you try them!

  75. These look great! Love the color–so beautiful, I agree. I definitely don’t think cupcakes are going out of style for a while, or ever in my opinion. I mean–its cake with frosting, how can that get old?! Haha

    So sorry to hear about the break-up, that’s awful! People need to get manners 🙂

  76. elly says:

    I think I need three of these, stat.

  77. I really do believe that cupcakes, especially pink cupcakes, can’t help but make everything better. Girly, we need a NJ date… get yer calendar!

  78. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    These are so beautiful! The color is beyond amazing!

    There is a Magnolia Cupcake in Grand Central that calls to me every time I’m in the city. Which is often. In fact I’m going to be there on Saturday. Wish me luck! Well…unless you want to hand deliver me some of these delicious cupcakes 🙂

  79. Your cupcake’s pretty in pink and love love love that frosting!

  80. These are so pretty in pink! They would definitely make me forget the unstable world out there. Beauties!

  81. These are gorgeous!! Please post a frosting tutorial sometime soon 🙂

  82. Michelle says:

    Oh those are beautiful! And I agree — cupcakes and best friends are all you need in life sometimes.

  83. Gorgeous and great job on the frosting!

  84. What a beautiful color you managed for the cupcakes. I always figure incorrectly and get a darker shade – not pretty. Stare back at the workers. Wave.

  85. Katelyn says:

    Yum! Just the right amount of coloring too. They look dainty and ladylike instead of the typical your-tongue-will-be-an-unnatural-shade-after-eating coloring in a lot of cupcakes. I like that this uses frozen fruit too because any strawberries to be found in stores now ain’t gonna be pretty.

  86. So pretty. My daughter would love these.

  87. Swathi says:

    These delicious beautiful cup cakes, I don’t what else I can add to describe this one.

  88. grace says:

    are you sure you didn’t use a vanilla bean in your frosting? i spy flecks! 🙂

  89. Those are some of the prettiest cupcakes I’ve seen! They look so moist and delicious.

  90. Lora says:

    Perfectly pink cupcakes. I love the ingredients.

  91. Mary says:

    Sorry about the idiot. Ugh. At least there were cupcakes! These are awesome. I am going to make these for my next girl’s night or day. They make me grin just looking at them!

  92. Astra Libris says:

    Guys can be such #$%&!!!

    And YOU are amazing!!! Looooook how gorgeous these cupcakes are! And Love your Foodbuzz post!! 🙂

  93. Anonymous says:

    Ah! This is perfect. My daughter just requested a strawberry cake with banana frosting for her birthday. Do you think I could bake this as a cake? It’s so pretty. Any ideas on banana frosting? 🙂

  94. SallyBR says:

    When I see 97 comments before mine, I have to wonder: do I have anything else to say? 😉

    the photos made me want to eat my screen, or at least lick the frosting…

    Ok, I now decided: in my next life, I want to take photos half as great as you do!

    Wonderful post!

  95. Joanne says:

    Anonymous – You can definitely turn this into a cake! The originally recipe was actually for a triple layer cake…you can click on the link to Smitten Kitchen’s blog to see it! I’ve never tried making banana frosting but I’m sure it’s possible! When is the party? If you want I can try to create a recipe for you! feel free to email me – [email protected]

  96. Mary says:

    These look and sound delicious. These are a real treat. They are also very easy on the eyes. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  97. teresa says:

    i have to tell you, you got even my husband’s attention with this one. what a gorgeous treat! and i love the wrapper.

  98. Julie says:

    Beautiful! Hope you are continuing to heal well.

  99. Miriam says:

    Thanks Joanne! I made them for a friend’s birthday tonight and they were INCREDIBLE! I am usually a dark chocolate only kinda girl and this was eye-opening for me! Also my first time eating cream-cheese frosting (believe it or not!) and it was divine! I hate regular frosting but this didn’t have the strong shortening taste at all. Thanks for wonderful recipes!

  100. Judy says:

    These are so pretty, almost too pretty to eat.

  101. Tessa says:

    These look like the perfect strawberry cupcakes. Sorry about your string of bad luck, but sometimes I really think cream cheese frosting can help make your day better!

  102. These are so marvy, luv! 🙂 I haven’t had cupcakes in ages and these made me crave them something fierce!!

  103. These look and sound AMAZING! I can’t wait to try them! The fact that they are pink just makes them even more amazing, thank you for sharing!

  104. Anonymous says:

    Joanne – Thanks, I’ll check out the other site for the cake recipe. I’m fairly adept in the kitchen, so I think I’ll wing it for the frosting. I personally don’t like frosting, but apparently I make it well:) Everyone always raves. I’ll make a batch tonight just to be sure it doesn’t flop for the party tomorrow.

  105. esther says:

    Ohgosh I want one of these for breakfast. Yup, it’s 11:30 and I still haven’t eaten breakfast. And I am still not over cupcakes either. I will never be over them, trendy or not trendy.

    Why is it that all construction workers are sorta creepy? It’s such a phenomenon.

  106. koshercorvid says:

    So, I made these with raspberries and a lemon-cream cheese frosting. I’m gonna have to run a couple of extra miles tomorrow, as I’ve already eaten two and we haven’t even had dinner yet. They’re fantastic!

  107. Victoria says:

    These cupcakes were SO amazing! I had never heard of them before, but they just may be my new fave 🙂 Gonna have to make them sometime for sure.

  108. patsy says:

    I could really go for a couple of those adorable pink lady cupcakes! definitely a treat to share with girlfriends!

  109. Kerstin says:

    Cupcakes make everything better. I made these for a friend’s baby shower (she was having a girl!) and they were sooo good 🙂

  110. Elizabeth says:

    Oh my, these look fabulous. Though… just about anything looks fabulous with cream cheese frosting. 🙂

  111. You mean it isn’t safe to bike in NYC? What will I do???? 😛

  112. God last week had been real crazy, I was away from the blog world and I missed these babies…
    But now that I have found them, I want to eat them…
    These cup cake looks so so good….. That cream cheese frosting is making me so hungry…. Yumm…

  113. Chris says:

    Text msg break up? Someone really does that? I thought that only happened by giant douche bags on sit coms.

    I like strawberry cake (one of the few desserts I like) so I know I’d like these little silken beauties.

  114. Nicole says:

    via text!? boys are so dumb, ugh!

    these cupcakes are ridiculously cute, though! I want to reach in and grab the cupcake from your first photo 🙂

  115. These are so perfectly pink. I <3 strawberries and cream. 😉

  116. Marisa says:

    I love how fe,imie these look! If they taste even half as good as they look, I want in on that action.

  117. Johanna GGG says:

    the world is a scary place but it seems much safer and nicer for pink cupcakes – they are gorgeous

  118. Kimberly says:

    Hi! I made these cupcakes and they are delicious! However mine turned out brown on the outside with a bare hint of dark pink in the very middle. How did you get yours to be such a beautiful light pink color?? Thanks!

  119. Kimberly says:

    Hi! I made these cupcakes and they are delicious! However mine turned out brown on the outside with a bare hint of dark pink in the very middle. How did you get yours to be such a beautiful light pink color?? Thanks!

  120. […] years ago…Pink Lady Cupcakes, Gorgonzola Dolce, Fingerling Potatoes, Radicchio and Rosemary […]

  121. […] Recipe: joanne-eatswellwithothers […]

  122. Vanessa Hill says:

    Thanks for sharing this great recipe! The cupcakes were a hit at my daughter’s strawberry-themed birthday party! Love.

  123. Lacey Godwin says:

    Hi, I was wondering how many cupcakes will this recipe make?

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