Chocolate Cupcakes with Almond Dipped Strawberries

"Almond Cream Cheese Butter-cream Frosting swirled on chocolate cupcakes and topped off with a plump red strawberry-Sounds like a sweet idea to me!"

Chocolate Cupcakes:
1 Chocolate cake mix
water, oil and eggs called for on the box (Add flour for High Altitude, if needed.)

Preheat oven and prepare cake mix according to package directions.  Place cupcake liners in cupcake/muffin tins. Divide batter evenly, filling each liner 2/3 full. Bake according to package directions for cupcakes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Frost with Almond Cream Cheese Butter-Cream Frosting (recipe follows).

Almond Cream Cheese Butter-cream Frosting:
1-8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened

1 stick or 1/2 cup of butter, softened

2 Tbsp. of shortening

2 pound bag of powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. almond flavoring

Red food coloring, if desired (I used 4 drops to make a pretty pink color.)
Strawberries to top each cupcake

Cream together cream cheese, butter and shortening.  Add powdered sugar a little at a time until all combined.  Add vanilla and almond flavoring.  Color with food coloring, if desired.  Frost cupcakes and top with strawberries.  Store in refrigerator until needed.