Chocolate Cupcakes w/ Strawberry Cream Filling & Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate Cupcakes w/ Strawberry Cream Filling & Chocolate Ganache

1 batch chocolate cupcakes (I used Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes)

Strawberry Cream Filling

1 pint whipping cream

powdered sugar

vanilla

1 lb. strawberries*

Chocolate Ganache

3/4 cream

2 tablespoons butter, melted

8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips**

sugar

*You can use more strawberries . . . this is just how much I had, but I think more would make it even better!

**To make the ganache not so strong/a bit sweeter, you can substitute some of the semi-sweet chocolate chips for white chocolate chips.

With your chocolate cupcakes cooled off, whip up the cream.  Once desired thickness, add desired amount of powdered sugar and vanilla.  Mash up the strawberries (leave them somewhat chunky).  Mix the strawberries with a bit of sugar.  Fold the mashed strawberries into the whipped cream.  Fill the cupcakes with the strawberry cream filling.*

To make the chocolate gnache, place the chocolate chips in a bowl.  Pour melted butter over it.  Place cream in a bowl and microwave for a bout 2 minutes - it needs to be at a simmer.  Immediately pour over chocolate and cover with plastic wrap.  Let sit for about 3 minutes and then stir until smooth.  Spoon over each cupcake to cover the top.

Refrigerate cupcakes.

*You can fill your cupcake however you choose.  For these I cut a circle in the top of the cupcake and took the piece of cupcake it.  I filled it with the strawberry cream and then placed it back on top.

Also, you will probably have about half of the strawberry cream filling leftover, but it's delicious to put some more of it over the top of your cupcake!

Have a wonderful day!  Eat some yummy cupcakes!