Sweet Berry Cupcakes

IMG_8785On days when I need a fresh towel, I open the cabinet beneath my sink and I’m confronted with what I call “the box of disappointment.” There, beside the towels, sits an unopened box of pregnancy tests. For over a year, maybe even two, I took at least one pregnancy test each month. Ryan could always tell I had taken one just by looking at my face.

Not only did month after month go by with no positive pregnancy test, but month after month went by without me even bleeding. My doctors quickly gave me two options: birth control or fertility treatment. According to our specialist, the complex interplay between my brain and my ovaries had malfunctioned. And it could be a permanent problem.

So when I found out I was pregnant with Lucy, I was sitting in a doctor’s office. I didn’t have a positive pregnancy test to wave in front of Ryan’s face. I didn’t have any private moments to digest what had happened inside my body. Instead, Ryan and I both stared at an ultrasound screen (they wanted to measure my uterus before starting any type of fertility treatment) and we both saw, together, the first picture of our baby girl.

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And that one moment made all those hard months disappear.

Recently, there have been days where I’ve wanted to take a pregnancy test just so I can finally see the positive symbol in that white window. But then there is another part of me that is happy to leave all of that longing and pain sealed inside a paper box.

Ryan and I are celebrating Valentine’s Day tonight (we tend to do it one day early or one day late). And I’m happy to say that I’ve never felt more love between my husband and me. Many might assume that this little baby has something to do with it. And of course, they’re right. But only in part. Because I think what makes this year truly special is that Ryan and I have walked through some dark valleys, and we’re finally seeing the light, together.

These sweet berry cupcakes are a simple way to show the ones you love a little affection. I whipped these up on Saturday morning for a dear friend’s party…and they couldn’t have been prettier or more delicious.

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Sweet Berry Cupcakes

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp coarse salt
2/3 cups fresh or frozen strawberries or raspberries (thawed if frozen)
¼ cup milk
1 tsp almond extract
½ cup butter (room temperature)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 egg whites

½ cup butter (room temperature)
2 TBSP honey
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1-2 drops pink food coloring (optional)
1-2 ripe strawberries (finely diced)

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or line a 12-cup muffin tin. Using a fork or a potato masher, puree your strawberries. You should have around 1/3 cup of strawberry puree. Alternatively, you can process your berries in a blender or food processor.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine your strawberry puree, your milk and your almond extract. Stir until combined.

3. In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream your butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add sugar and cream until well combined. Add egg whites and egg; stir until just blended.

4. With the mixer on low, add half of your flour mixture and mix until just combined. Then add your milk and strawberry mixture, and mix until blended. Add the remainder of your flour mixture, scraping down the sides if necessary, and stir until combined.

5. Divide your batter equally among prepared muffin tins. Bake in your preheated oven for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan for around 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

For Frosting:

1. In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream butter and honey until light and fluffy. Add in  your chopped strawberries and ¾ cup powdered sugar. Mix until combined. Add in the remaining ¾ cup of powder sugar and cream until light and fluffy.

2. Spread over cooled cupcakes.

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

45 thoughts on “Sweet Berry Cupcakes”

  1. Jessie

    What a beautiful story, Monet, especially considering the hardships you and Ryan and your family have been through the last few years. I can’t even imagine what a shock it must have been to see Lucy for the first time!

    I’ll bet these sweet berry cupcakes were the hit of the party – gorgeous AND delicious! Enjoy the rest of your week 🙂

  2. Julia {The Roasted Root}

    Your post had be on the brink of tears…I’m so thrilled for you guys and am worried I will face the same stress you went through when I eventually try to have kids. It must be a relief that you can chuck the box of diappointment out the window! Your sweet berry cupcakes are so pretty! I could pop these in my mouth all day long! Have a happy Valentine’s Day!!

  3. lisa fine @ vermont vittles

    As always, you are a beautiful storyteller. I’m curious to see what life brings you after you finish your degree and you have Lucy.

    These cupcakes look perfect for Valentine’s Day. Hope you and Ryan have a wonderful day together.

  4. Wendy Irene

    I love how the top of the cupcakes looks like a beautiful rose. The strawberry is such a nice touch. Happy Valentine’s Day! May you and your hubby continue to grow in love.

  5. lisa haradon

    The cupcakes were indeed the hit of the party… and it was an engagement party
    for some of our dear friends, with treats made by an especially wonderful friend to me:)

  6. Bonnie

    I love stories with happy endings and soon-to-be-precious beginnings! And those cupcakes are beautiful. Happy Valentine’s Day!

    Best,
    Bonnie

  9. Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family

    Those are gorgeous and look to be very delicious.

    Monet I am so glad that your heartache over a child is calmed. You and Ryan are so blessed with this little girl and I can’t wait until you share her first picture.

    Enjoy the rest of your week and your Valentine’s Day celebration.

  10. zerrin

    What a story! Love the happy ending, it’s great that you two always support each other. Your little princess will be a very lucky baby to have such parents!

    And the cupcakes look perfect for any special day! Love the rose shape topping!

  11. Becky

    Monet,
    You and Ryan are truly blessed awaiting the birth of your of your little girl. You give people hope, that there is light at the end of the tunnel, after many months of dark day. Your story could be a novel:)

  13. Terra

    You both are truly so blessed!!! What a beautiful bond between you and Ryan:-) I love that you never gave up, I am excited to meet Lucy now:-) Your cupcakes sound fabulous, and that frosting has me wanting more than one LOL! Hugs, Terra

  14. Anna @ On Anna's Plate

    Wow– beautiful cupcakes and beautiful writing! 🙂

    I know what you mean about wanting that big “waving the pregnancy test” in front of the hubby moment. My positive pregnancy test was such a surprise that I just ran into the next room and blurted out to Ryan, “I’M PREGNANT!!!” Looking back, I kind of wish I’d done something cute or clever, but I was in shock! Maybe next time… 😉

  17. Mary

    These cupcakes look beautiful, Monet! I am so happy for you and Ryan. We celebrate a few days before or after Valentine’s day too. It is way more fun to celebrate without the crowds!

  20. SallyBR

    Dear… your last phrase made me smile… a strange smile, actually, because it came with a bit of self-pity. 😉

    the very day I “spread the icing over the cupcakes” and they turn out like yours, please call 911 and maybe the Navy Seals, because I’ve been abudcted by aliens. It is NOT Sally. Trust me on that

    (beautiful post, beautiful story, nice to see you both so happy!)

  22. Gina

    I love the name you picked out for your sweet little girl that’s on her way. I’m so glad things are starting to shine for you. It will only get better and better.
    Happy Valentine’s Day!
    -Gina-

  23. Anita at Hungry Couple

    Happy Valentine’s Day, Monet. These cupcakes are so beautiful. I wish I had the talent to make such pretty pastries. As for those unopened tests, I advise your throw away that box of past disappointments, play some happy music for baby-to-be Lucy and don’t look back. 🙂

  27. Bonnie Banters

    Did you say “Lucy”…I’ve never known personally anyone by that name…I love it! You’re just meant to have a girl!

    These cupcakes are so perfectly beautiful and very Valentine!

  28. Orchidea

    Hi, I am so happy for you and your baby girl… she will bring so much joy in your family. And these cupcakes look amazingly good!!! I would so much like to have one.
    Have a nice start of the week.
    Ciao

  29. Jenny @ BAKE

    I can’t imagine the excitement you must have felt looking at that screen and realising all those months of waiting were over! these look delicious and I love the little strawberry buttons!

  32. Shirley

    I still love reading the story of your pregnancy. Your little miracle! And beautiful cupcakes, especially the coral hue of that frosting.

  33. Beth

    I didn’t know that you were struggling with your fertility. That must have been such a challenge, on top of the other grief you were dealing with. I couldn’t be happier for you!

  34. Rosa

    So pretty! I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

    Your pregnancy must be a real reward for all the suffering you had to endure. I’m so happy for you.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  35. TheKitchenLioness

    Monet, what a perfectly lovely and heart-warming story and I love the cute look of your wonderful cupcakes so much! My girls are just staring at the beautiful pictures that you took and are asking me to bake “exactly these” as soon as possible.
    Happy (very belated) Valentine´s Day! I hope you and your husband had a wonderful day!
    I am also sending some “hugs and kisses” from my girls – they think your blog is “truly adorable”!
    Take very good care of yourself!

  38. Liz

    I can feel the joy and see the smile you must have had on your face while writing this post. I am just thrilled for you and Ryan. Your cupcakes are simply gorgeous…perfect for any Valentine 🙂

  39. Elizabeth

    These are definitely the cutest little things I have seen all day! I love the rose piping and your pretty blue plate as well. These must taste so delicious!

  42. Eloise

    Monet, those are the MOST beautiful (and delicious looking!) cupcakes I’ve ever seen! What joy you will have baking such treats with your sweet Lucy. I adore her name, by the way. You will never regret giving your daughter a family name. I am named for my grandmother, and I especially appreciate that now that she’s gone (I adored my grandmother and miss her terribly). My girls, Vivian and Dorothy, are named for my mother and my mother-in-law, and my mother Vivian was named for her grandmother so that name has an exceptionally long heritage in our family.

    I’m so happy you are living near your family in a place that you love. Believe me, precious Lucy won’t know or care where she lives as long as she is surrounded by people she loves. Your housing situation and all of your other uncertainties will work themselves out. Just try to enjoy this special time in your life.

    As an aside, do you know why dates no longer show up on your posts? When I get behind in my blog reading, as I often do, I’m curious about when certain news was posted.

    Hugs to you. Take care of yourself.

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