Description
Delicious fresh strawberry cupcakes featuring a moist strawberry-spiked cake base topped with a luscious homemade strawberry buttercream frosting made from strawberry reduction. Perfectly balanced with fresh fruit and creamy sweetness, these cupcakes are ideal for spring and summer celebrations or as a delightful treat anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cupcakes
- 1 2/3 cups (217g) all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (168g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (115g) sour cream
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp milk
- 1 1/2 cups (200g) chopped strawberries
For the Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
- 1 1/4 cups (280g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 5 cups (575g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch or two of salt
- Strawberries, for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add eggs: Whisk in the eggs thoroughly until the mixture is smooth.
- Incorporate sour cream: Add sour cream to the mixture and whisk until combined.
- Add milk: Pour in the milk and whisk until the batter is smooth.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, whisking until combined but do not overmix to avoid toughness.
- Fold in strawberries: Gently fold in the chopped strawberries to distribute evenly throughout the batter.
- Fill cupcake liners and bake: Fill cupcake liners a little more than half full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cupcakes: Remove cupcakes from oven and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Make strawberry reduction: Puree 1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries in a food processor or blender until smooth, yielding about 3/4 cups puree. Transfer puree to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until it reduces to about 6 tablespoons (10-15 minutes). Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare buttercream base: Beat 1 1/4 cups room temperature butter in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar and flavorings: Gradually add half of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add 4 tablespoons of the cooled strawberry reduction, vanilla extract, and salt; mix well to combine.
- Finish frosting: Add the remaining powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Add additional strawberry reduction as needed to reach desired consistency and flavor.
- Decorate cupcakes: Pipe the strawberry buttercream onto cooled cupcakes using a piping tip such as Ateco 844. Top each cupcake with a strawberry half for garnish, if desired.
- Storage: Store finished cupcakes covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep cupcakes tender and light.
- The strawberry reduction can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for easy preparation.
- If the strawberry buttercream is too thick, add a little more strawberry reduction to thin; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor in both batter and frosting.
- Serve cupcakes at room temperature for optimal taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: strawberry cupcakes, fresh strawberry cake, strawberry buttercream, homemade cupcakes, berry desserts, easy cupcake recipe
