Strawberry Frosting

I wanted REAL strawberry frosting for my Real Strawberry Cupcakes and could not find an acceptable recipe. I wanted an intense strawberry taste without using an extract or gelatin. I came up with this recipe using a strawberry puree reduction that is truly the strawberry-est. If you love strawberries, you’ll LOVE THIS

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted,
  divided

Steps:

1. Place strawberries in a blender; puree until smooth.
2. Transfer strawberry puree to a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil, stirring often, until puree is reduced by at least half, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
3. Beat butter with an electric mixer in a bowl until light and fluffy.
4. Beat 1 cup confectioners’ sugar into butter until just blended.
5. Beat 2 tablespoons strawberry puree and vanilla extract into butter mixture until just blended.
6. Repeat with 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, followed by 2 tablespoons strawberry puree two more times.
7. Beat last 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar into mixture until just blended.