Ingredients
– 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup sugar
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
– 2 large eggs
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– ½ cup milk
– 2 tsp baking powder
– ½ tsp salt
– 1 cup Fruity Pebbles cereal
– 1 cup strawberries, finely chopped
– 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
– 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
– 4 tbsp heavy cream (for frosting)
Equipment Needed
– Mixing bowls
– Electric mixer or whisk
– Cupcake pan
– Cupcake liners
– Piping bag (or a plastic zip-top bag with the corner cut off)
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Spatula
– Cooling rack
Step-by-Step Instructions
To start, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is one of the most vital steps because a well-preheated oven is crucial to baking the perfect cupcakes. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy; this usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Next, add in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. The aroma is simply delightful at this stage! (See the next page below to continue steps…)