Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

These were created for the RSPCA cupcake day fundraiser held on the 16th August 2010 ... they are meant to be pigs but drew guessed dogs when I asked him what they looked like (but quickly added pig-dog when I expressed my disappointment). It may not be clear what kind of animal they are, but the strawberry jam filling oozes out when you bite into it with a white chocolate and strawberry cream cheese covering the strawberry flavoured cupcake ... so pig ... dog ... pig-dog ... it doesn't matter, they're delicious!!

Ingredients

• 150grams butter
• 150 grams self raising flour
• 150 grams sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• `2 x eggs
• 1/4 cup strawberry syrup (from filling, see below)

Strawberry Jam Filling

• 1/2 kilo strawberries
• 50 grams sugar
• 1 cup water

Cream Cheese Topping

• 100grams cream cheese
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 150 grams white chocolate
• 100 grams fresh strawberries

Filling Method

• Cook strawberries, water and sugar in a saucepan on low heat, stirring regularly, for about 20 to 30 minutes or until sticky. Strawberries should be soft and liquid should be sticky
• Set aside about 1/4 of a cup of the liquid to cool, ready to add to cupcake mixture
• Continue to simmer until the strawberries are a jam like consistency and can be spooned and hold their shape
• Set aside to cool ready to fill cupcakes later

Cupcake Method

• Beat softened butter and sugar until turns slightly white
• Add 2 eggs and continue to beat until fluffy
• Stir in flour, vanilla and strawberry syrup
• Spoon or pipe mixture into 12 medium cupcake cases, inside a muffin tray.
• Bake in a medium oven (180C) for 18 to 22 minutes or until a skewer comes up clean
• Set aside and allow to cool

Topping Method

• Melt white chocolate in a water bath (stainless steel bowl over a saucepan with boiled water)
• When chocolate is fully melted, add cream cheese
• Soften strawberries by pulsing in a blender, then add cream cheese and chocolate and continue to blend until smooth
• Place in a large bowl and stir through icing sugar
• Fill a piping bag with a plain or star tip

Building the Strawberry Shortcake