Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcakes

I decided to make strawberry cream cheese cupcakes in order to use up a pint and a half of strawberries and a box of yellow cake mix. I looked and looked for strawberry cream cheese cupcakes that incorporated yellow cake mix, and found one here that gave me the idea to insert a little piece of cream cheese in the middle of each cupcake. 

I topped each cupcake with a homemade strawberry sauce. It created a beautiful marble color.

You'll notice I did not use cupcake liners because I never buy them or have them on hand. Instead I borrowed the idea of "making" cupcake liners from parchment paper from Carly's Kitchen. I thought it turned out pretty cute, how about you?? I also made strawberry cream cheese frosting to top the cupcakes. The frosting would be excellent if you need a dip for fresh fruit or even graham crackers or vanilla wafters. These cupcakes were super moist and soft. I took them up to my hubby at work and he said everyone talked about how moist and creamy they were. Strawberry season is just around the corner, so give these cupcakes a try!

Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Printable Version

Makes 24 cupcakes

Ingredients

For the cupcakes

1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla (I used my homemade vanilla extract)

1 cup plain yogurt

4 ounces cream cheese, cut into 24 small pieces

For the strawberry sauce

1 pint strawberries

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla

For the strawberry cream cheese frosting

1/2 cup fresh strawberries, mashed

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cake mix, eggs, water, oil, vanilla and yogurt and mix until smooth with stand mixer or electric hand mixer. Pour into lined muffin tins. 

Make strawberry sauce by slicing strawberries into very small chunks. Place in saucepan with the 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla and cook over medium high heat. Stir frequently and allow to cool slightly.

Place the cream cheese pieces into the center of each cupcake and ladle 1 tablespoon of strawberry sauce on top. 

Bake in the oven for 25 minutes, or until cupcakes are golden brown.

Allow to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.

For the strawberry cream cheese frosting combine strawberries, butter, and cream cheese in a small bowl and cream with electric mixer. Add in powdered sugar slowly, mixing to combine until smooth.

Frost cupcakes when cool.