Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes Recipe

Dreamy Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Sweet summer memories dance through these delightful strawberries and cream cupcakes that capture pure bliss in every bite.

Soft, pillowy layers burst with fruity freshness and smooth vanilla undertones.

Baking becomes an art form when strawberries blend seamlessly with rich, creamy frosting.

Each cupcake promises a delicate balance between tangy fruit and sweet comfort.

Light as clouds and packed with natural sweetness, these treats invite you to savor a moment of pure joy.

Whip up these magical cupcakes and watch smiles bloom around your kitchen.

Why Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes Are a Crowd-Pleaser

  • Celebrate Sweet Simplicity: Master a delightful dessert that combines fresh strawberries with classic cupcake technique, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
  • Craft Crowd-Pleasing Treats: Create a dessert that appeals to both kids and adults, featuring familiar flavors and a gorgeous presentation that sparks joy at gatherings.
  • Embrace Fresh Ingredients: Highlight seasonal strawberries in a recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular homemade treat with minimal kitchen expertise required.
  • Quick Baking Magic: Prepare a delectable dessert with straightforward steps that deliver professional-looking cupcakes without complicated techniques or extensive baking knowledge.

What’s in Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The foundational component that provides structure to the cupcakes.
  • Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cupcakes rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cupcakes.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates a rich and tender texture in the cupcake batter.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the caramelization process during baking.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cupcakes' structure and moisture.
  • Milk, Heavy Cream: Provide moisture and richness to the cupcake batter.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor that complements the strawberries.
Fruit and Topping Ingredients:
  • Fresh Strawberries: Adds natural sweetness, vibrant color, and fruity flavor to the cupcakes.
  • Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar, Heavy Cream: Components that create a smooth and creamy frosting for topping the cupcakes.
  • Fresh Strawberry Slices: Serves as an elegant and delicious garnish for the finished cupcakes.

Baking Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F and line a cupcake pan with pretty paper liners, spreading them out evenly for perfect baking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, creating a cloud-like powder mixture that will give your cupcakes amazing texture.

Step 3: Whip Up Butter Magic

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like a delightful cloud.

Step 4: Introduce Eggs

Add eggs one by one into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth, dreamy base.

Step 5: Fold in Fruity Goodness

Gently incorporate fresh strawberries and vanilla extract, spreading the berry love throughout the batter.

Step 6: Create Batter Harmony

Slowly blend dry ingredients with wet ingredients, alternating with milk and heavy cream. Stir until everything just comes together – don’t overmix!

Step 7: Fill Cupcake Liners

Carefully spoon batter into liners, filling each about two-thirds full to give your cupcakes room to rise and shine.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean when your cupcakes are ready.

Step 9: Cool Down

Remove cupcakes from the oven and let them chill completely on a wire rack. Patience is key for the perfect frosting moment!

Step 10: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

Beat together:
  • Cream cheese
  • Powdered sugar
  • Heavy cream

Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and irresistibly creamy.

Step 11: Frost with Flair

Once cupcakes are totally cool, pipe or spread that luscious frosting on top of each cupcake.

Step 12: Add Final Sparkle

Garnish with delicate fresh strawberry slices, transforming your cupcakes into a true dessert masterpiece.

Tips for Better Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes

  • Boost Strawberry Flavor: Macerate chopped strawberries with a tablespoon of sugar before adding to the batter to intensify their natural sweetness and release more juice.
  • Prevent Fruit Sinking: Lightly coat strawberry pieces in a thin layer of flour before folding into the batter to help them distribute evenly and prevent settling at the bottom.
  • Maintain Moisture: Allow ingredients like butter and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more tender cupcake with better overall texture.
  • Check Doneness Carefully: Use the toothpick test sparingly, inserting it gently near the center to avoid deflating the delicate cupcake structure while ensuring thorough baking.

Flavor Options for Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes

  • Lemon Berry Burst Cupcakes: Replace vanilla extract with fresh lemon zest and juice. Swap strawberries for a mixed berry blend, creating a tangy and vibrant flavor profile.
  • Chocolate Strawberry Dream: Add cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a rich chocolate base. Top with chocolate-dipped strawberry pieces for an indulgent dessert experience.
  • Gluten-Free Berry Bliss: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend. Use almond milk instead of regular milk to make the recipe celiac-friendly and equally delicious.
  • Vegan Summer Celebration: Replace butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and dairy cream with coconut cream. Maintain the fresh strawberry essence while creating a plant-based version of the original recipe.

What to Pair with Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes

  • Pair Sweet Rosé Wine: Complement the strawberry flavor with a light, fruity rosé that enhances the dessert's delicate sweetness and matches the fresh berry notes.
  • Serve Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a delightful contrast by adding a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream alongside the cupcake, which amplifies the dessert's rich texture and cool temperature.
  • Match Champagne Cocktail: Elevate the cupcake experience with a crisp champagne cocktail garnished with a fresh strawberry slice, adding a sophisticated and celebratory touch to the dessert.
  • Suggest Strawberry Mint Mocktail: Craft a refreshing non-alcoholic drink with muddled strawberries and fresh mint, providing a light and zesty companion that complements the cupcake's sweet profile.

Keeping Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes Fresh

  • Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent the frosting from sticking or getting damaged.
  • Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and add fresh frosting before serving.
  • Keep unfrosted cupcakes at room temperature in a sealed container for 1-2 days. Ensure the area is cool and dry to maintain freshness and prevent moisture buildup.
  • Separate frosted and unfrosted cupcakes when storing to keep the cream cheese topping intact. Place wax paper between layers if stacking in a container to prevent smudging.

FAQs for Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes

  • Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Frozen strawberries might make the batter too wet and change the cupcake texture. Fresh strawberries work best for maintaining the right consistency and providing the most vibrant flavor.

  • How do I prevent my strawberries from sinking to the bottom of the cupcakes?

Toss chopped strawberries in a light dusting of flour before adding them to the batter. This helps prevent them from sinking and distributes them more evenly throughout the cupcakes.

  • What's the best way to ensure my cupcakes are moist?

Don’t overmix the batter – stir just until ingredients are combined. Overmixing can develop gluten and make cupcakes tough. Also, avoid overbaking by checking with a toothpick and removing them from the oven when it comes out clean.

Print
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Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes Recipe

Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes Recipe


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4.7 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 50-52 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Luscious strawberries and cream cupcakes bring summer’s sweetest embrace to your dessert table. Delicate vanilla cake topped with silky cream frosting and fresh strawberry garnish will make you crave another bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Leavening and Seasoning:

  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp strawberry extract (optional)

Frosting Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup fresh strawberries (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan with paper liners, ensuring even spacing.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, creating a smooth dry ingredient base.
  3. Cream butter and granulated sugar in a separate large bowl until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer on medium speed.
  4. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a consistent texture.
  5. Gently fold in chopped fresh strawberries and vanilla extract, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk and heavy cream, stirring until just combined.
  7. Carefully spoon the batter into prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Remove cupcakes from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
  10. Prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese, powdered sugar, and heavy cream until smooth and creamy.
  11. Once cupcakes are fully cooled, pipe or spread the frosting generously on top of each cupcake.
  12. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices for an elegant and delicious finishing touch.

Notes

  • Ensure strawberries are fresh and ripe for maximum flavor intensity in your cupcakes.
  • Chop strawberries into small, uniform pieces to distribute evenly throughout the batter without weighing it down.
  • Room temperature ingredients help create a smoother, more consistent cupcake texture and prevent lumpy batter.
  • For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain similar texture and rise.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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