Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

Holding on to summer with these fresh strawberry cupcakes!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped strawberries (divided)
2 tsps water
3/4 cup flour
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1/4 cup marg or butter
1/3 cup and 2 tsps sugar
2 egg whites (at room temperature)
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tbsps milk (at room temperature)
red food colouring (optional)

Icing:

2 tbsps marg or butter
1/2 - 3/4 cup icing sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
red food colouring (optional)

Combine 1/3 cup chopped strawberries, water and 2 tsps sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool about 15 minutes.

Sift the flour, cornstarch and baking powder together, then add the salt and set aside.

In a large bowl beat the butter and remaining 1/3 cup sugar together 2-3 minutes. Next beat in the egg whites one at a time and finally the vanilla.

Add the flour and milk in two additions each alternating between additions.

Stir in the remaining strawberries along with the cooked ones. And a drop or 2 of colouring if you choose.

Fill lined cups to 2/3 full and bake at 350F for 19-20 minutes.

Once cooled cream the icing ingredients together and spread (or pipe if you're fancy!) over the cupcakes.

Top with a fresh berry and serve.

Makes 9 medium sized cupcakes

If you don't want to ice the cupcakes, how about a nice sauce?
https://hotandcoldrunningmom.blogspot.com/2018/09/strawberry-rhubarb-sauce-for-cupcakes.html