by theUngourmet -inspired by 500 cupcakes
for the cupcakes
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
4 eggs
juice from 1 lemon
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 350. Place 18 cupcakes liners in muffin pans. Combine all the cupcake ingredients in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and pale, about 2 or 3 minutes.
Spoon the batter into the cups. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
for the topping
1 cup heavy cream
4 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups slice small strawberries
4 tbsp strawberry jell-o
1 tbsp water
Whisk the cream, sugar and vanilla in a small bowl until soft peaks form. Spoon onto the cupcakes and arrange the strawberries on top of the whipped cream. In a small saucepan, heat the jell-0 and water, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Brush this mixture over the strawberries.
Chill until ready to serve.
