Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted, divided
• (Makes enough for 18 cupcakes)

Directions

1. To make this wonderful strawberry frosting we will start by preparing the strawberries.
2. You may want to make the puree ahead of time as it needs to be refrigerated and chilled before you make the frosting.

Prepare the Strawberries

1. Wash and hull the strawberries, and let air dry.
2. Put the clean berries into a blender; puree until smooth.
3. Transfer strawberry puree to a saucepan.
4. Using low then medium heat, bring the berries to a boil.
5. Stir the berries often and cook until the puree is reduced by at least half.
6. This will take 20-30 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and cool down. Transfer to a bowl and place in the refrigerator to cool completely.

Frosting

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add in 1 cup of confectioners' sugar and beat into the butter until just blended.
2. Beat 2 tablespoons of the strawberry puree and vanilla extract into butter mixture until just blended.
3. Beat in one more cup of confectioners' sugar, followed by 2 tablespoons strawberry puree two more times.
4. Beat in the last 1/2 cup confectioners' and mix until well blended.
5. The frosting is ready to use. You can either pipe it onto your cupcakes or cake or spread on.
6. Go to the "search" feature on Grandmothers Kitchen website to find a good cupcake recipe that you want to try this delicious frosting on.