Elvie's Berry Best Cupcake

A few months back, my cousin Kim shared a special recipe with me: our Grandmother's Strawberry Cake. Now.... I know in the foodie world, one does not neccecelery (hee hee.....learned that word today and it cracked me up) need a special occasion to bake a cake or cupcakes....but, well...lemme just say that as much as I love Paula Deen, it is not my desire to be just like her. Which reminds me...I heard the funniest thing on her show this morning....."When I see a skinny girl walking down the street, I think to myself...I'm gonna send her a pie!" LOL.

Anyways.....When I was asked to be a baker for Cupcake Camp L.A. and bake at least 100 cupcakes (I ended up bring 117), my mind started ticking away at the various flavors I wanted to make. That's when I decided to make Grandmother's Strawberry Cake into cupcakes. Evlie's Berry Best Cupcakes were born and made their debut last weekend in Hollywood, at a most incredibly fun event. I have to apologize for the quality of pictures below but the lighting was odd....and there was so much excitement and activity that my mind just couldn't take the time to futz around with high quality...I just wanted the pictures to hopefully capture the spirit.

Left....my cupcake tree featuring Elvie's Berry Best and Devils Trifecta. Top right, cupcakers setting up their booths. Right middle....Cupcake Camp L.A. in full swing. Bottom right, a treat for all the hard work.

In the picture above are my Chai Latte (a.k.a. L.A.'s Diva) cupcakes and Sweet Potato cupcakes with maple and brown sugar icing (a.k.a. Spud's Sweet Delight)

In the picture below is my closest friend Priscilla who came along for the ride to help me out and keep me company at my booth. Thank you Prissy!!! You're the best! I love you!!!

Where else, other than at a Cupcake Camp, will you see people lined up at a bar, eating cupcakes instead of drinking cocktails and beer?

 (no comment...just good fun)

It really was an awesome day. We were a little nervous because the day was rainy...and us SoCal peeps don't like to venture out much in the rain....but apparently when there are cupcakes to be had....rain or shine, they show up! There was a line outside waiting to come in and it was non-stop crowds for 5 hours.

I just want to say a big Thank You!!! to Babette over at BakeSpace.com for hosting this event. You did a fantastic job. I hope you do it again cuz I will be there for sure!!

This is an extremely easy recipe with great results. If you're not into strawberries, you can change it up by using other berries if you wish. I think blackberries or boysenberries would be a lot of fun!!!

Elvie's Berry Best Cupcakes
Printable Version

Batter:
1 box white cake mix
1 small package of strawberry jello (I think it's about 3 oz)
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup strawberries, roughly chopped

Preheat your oven to 350'. Line about 24 muffin tins with paper liners. You may have a little batter leftover. I ended up making a few mini muffins as well.

Combine all of the batter ingredients and mix well. Pour into prepared muffin tins and bake for about 20 -25 minutes...or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.

Allow to cool completely before icing them.

Icing:
1/2 cup softened butter
1 lb powdered sugar
1/2 cup strawberries, roughly chopped

Beat the butter for 2 minutes on med-high until creamy. Reduce the speed to med and add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. Beat until fluffy. Add the strawberries and beat until incorporated.

Ice away....and enjoy!

I started a silly phrase on Facebook the other day. I thought I'd share the results with you.......

"You know you're a foodie when......."

"You can't stay out of the kitchen after cooking all day yesterday" (yesterday being Thanksgiving Day)
"You dream about parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme"
"You wrap your latest project up in bubble wrap so that you can bring it with you on your business trip: and then work on it during the evenings at the hotel"
"You curl up with Bon Appitite and dream of William Sonoma and Sur La Table"
"You begin to panic when you're down to only 1 lb. of butter in the fridge"
"You make everyone wait to eat until you get the perfect picture"

How would you finish the phrase?

One more thing....just a reminder: I'm having a Willow House Giveaway, which ends Sunday, Nov. 28th at 11:59 p.m. pst. For details, click here------> Pomegranate Cheesecake and a Willow House Giveaway <------