Strawberry Cupcakes with Lemon Zest Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon white sugar

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line 14 cupcake cups with paper liners.

2. 2

   To make strawberry puree, pulse frozen strawberries in blender or food processor until evenly chopped. Add 2 tablespoons water, honey, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, and sugar. Blend until smooth.

3. 3

   Beat cake mix, 1 cup water, eggs, and vegetable oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened; increase mixer speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Beat lemon zest into batter. Fill prepared cupcake cups 2/3 full. Drop a spoonful of strawberry puree into the center of each portion of cupcake batter.

4. 4

   Bake cupcakes in preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 18 to 22 minutes. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out clean. Let cupcakes cool for at least 30 minutes.

5. 5

   To make icing, place cream cheese and butter in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Mix in confectioners' sugar; blend in vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Refrigerate icing until cupcakes are cool enough to frost. Frost cooled cupcakes with icing.