Strawberry Milkshake Cupcakes

Strawberry Milkshake Cupcakes Cake: 1 (16.25 ounce) strawberry cake mix 1 1/4 cups buttermilk (see note for substitute) 1/2 cup oil 3 eggs 1 (3.4 ounce) box dry instant strawberry pudding mix or 1 (3.0 ounce) box strawberry jello mix 1/3 cup strawberry milk drink mix (such as Nesquik) Frosting: 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup strawberry milk powder (such as Nesquik) 3 1/2 - 4 cups powdered sugar 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk (may not use all of it) For topping: strawberry candies or gumballs Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 18 muffin cavities with paper liners. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, buttermilk, oil, eggs, dry pudding mix, and strawberry milk drink mix together with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes or until blended. Distribute the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling until about ¾ cup full. Bake for approximately 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist - not wet - crumbs. Cool completely. For the frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter, vanilla, and strawberry milk powder together until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add om the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, until frosting is light and fluffy. Add in the cream or milk one tablespoon at a time if the frosting is too thick. Spread or pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. I used a Wilton 2D tip. If piping the frosting, you may want to double the frosting recipe. Top with strawberry candies or pink gumballs, then serve. I kept mine in the fridge because I did notice that the frosting gets soft at room temperature. Notes recipe calls for a box of strawberry pudding mix. I could not find it anywhere. I ended up using a box of strawberry Jello mix which still gave it ultra strawberry flavor. I do think if you are able to find strawberry pudding it would be fantastic and make the cupcakes super soft. Buttermilk substitute: For every one cup of milk add about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and let mixture sit for 5 minutes.