Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes ~ by Caroline

First off, we give all the credit for these amazing cupcakes/muffins to their creator at http://granolagirlbakes.com/   She came up with the recipe, and she also has some awesome pictures to go along with it!   We just recently stumbled across her site, and at the time, these were what were posted on her home page.  The only thing we didn't do was frost them as they are wonderful and just to our liking, even without the extra sweetness.

Yields 24 cupcakes
Cake Ingredients

• 1 1/2 sticks butter{softened}
• 4 oz cream cheese{softened}
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract{optional}
• 1 1/2 cups white flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 pint fresh strawberries diced

Icing

• 1 stick butter{softened}
• 6 oz cream cheese{softened}
• 3 cups powder sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract{optional}
• 1/2 tsp salt

Topping

• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line muffin tins with paper!
2. Cream butter, 4 oz cream cheese, and sugar in an electric mixer on high-speed for 3 minutes.
3. Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each egg. Stir in Vanilla & almond extract and scrape sides.
4. Turn mixer on low and slowly add flour 1/2 cup at a time and salt until completely combined!
5. With a rubber spatula, gentle fold in strawberries. Place 1/4 cup batter in each muffin cup. Bake for 14-17 minutes or until golden and an inserted toothpick comes out clean!
6. Allow to completely cool while you make the icing!

For the icing:

1. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat on high for 3 minutes. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl and mix for another minute!
2. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and top with graham cracker crumbs!
3. Enjoy!!