Double Strawberry Cupcakes

Double Strawberry Cupcakes
Dorcas Annette Walker

The Easter season is the complete embodiment of spring. Several of the churches in our area join together for services focusing on the Holy week of Christ’s death and resurrection- the pinnacle point of Christianity. The earth coming alive giving a dazzling array of colors during this time of the year is a perfect example of the resurrection as nature itself celebrates for all to see. Even the baby bunnies, eggs, and chicks found in Easter baskets represent new life. No wonder we love to celebrate Easter and springtime. Our brooder in the henhouse is filled with tiny chirping chicks that only a short time before were encased inside an egg. These little fuzz balls are full of life as they peck and scratch around. Soon they will be all feathered out. Our grandchildren are coming up the weekend after Easter. Annette and William are anxious to see Grandma’s chicks. Meanwhile this Grandma is counting the days until she can hold tiny Katie Dawn once again in her arms. Ah, the wonderful mystery and celebration of new life!

One thing I always delight to see during the spring season is when the strawberry plants start blooming and begin to bear fruit. There is something enticing about the smell and tangy sweetness of fresh strawberries. Nothing compares with going out and picking a ripened strawberry out of your own patch. When you consider how some strawberry plants keep bearing and the way strawberries spread and multiply you can’t help but be impressed by its generosity to mankind. What would the world be like without strawberries? I’m glad I don’t have to find out. Meanwhile until my strawberries mature, I can buy some at the store shipped in from across the country. We truly are blessed here in America.

My Double Strawberry Cupcakes make perfect deluxe treats for this Easter season with their moist cake interior sprinkled throughout with pieces of strawberry topped by cool whip. You can use a regular white cake frosting if you prefer. These Double Strawberry Cupcakes also freeze well and can be made up ahead of time. Preparation time for my Double Strawberry Cupcakes is fifteen minutes (not counting baking or cooling time) and this recipe makes two and one half dozen cupcakes.

Double Strawberry Cupcakes

1 white cake mix
1 (3 oz) box strawberry jello
1 c mashed strawberries
1 (8 oz) container of cool whip

Prepare cake mix as directed including the jello. Fold in mashed strawberries and place batter in cupcake papers. Bake at 350º for fifteen minutes. Let cool and frost with cool whip. Garnish with freshly sliced or whole strawberries. Store in the refrigerator!

Weekly tip: One pound container of fresh strawberries makes around two cups mashed. Store mashed strawberries with sugar added in Ziploc bags in the freezer for instant year round strawberry desserts!

Dorcas Annette Walker is a published author, columnist, speaker, freelance magazine writer, and photographer from Jamestown, Tennessee. Contact her at: dorcasannettewalker@gmail.com For more recipes check out her Creative Tennessee Mountain Cookin blog at: www.dorcasannettewalker.webs.com