Fresh strawberry cupcakes bring a burst of sweetness and freshness that make every bite delightful. With soft, fluffy cake topped with a creamy strawberry frosting, these treats are perfect for any occasion, from birthday parties to casual family gatherings. You’ll enjoy the fun of baking these cupcakes while creating a beautiful and delicious dessert that showcases the juicy flavor of strawberries.
Why We Love This Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
Fresh strawberry cupcakes are a favorite for many reasons. First, they provide a wonderful way to make use of fresh strawberries, allowing their vibrant flavor to shine through in every bite. The combination of tender vanilla or strawberry cake with a light, creamy frosting creates a perfect balance between sweetness and fruitiness. Additionally, these cupcakes are visually appealing, often topped with beautiful strawberry halves or sprinkles, making them an eye-catching dessert that delights both kids and adults alike. They are easily customizable, allowing you to experiment with various toppings or mix-ins, ensuring you can adapt them for any celebration or personal taste. Furthermore, the process of making these cupcakes fills your kitchen with delightful aromas, making the experience even more enjoyable. Whether you’re a baking novice or an experienced cook, these cupcakes provide a satisfying and rewarding kitchen project.
Ingredients for Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
- Fresh strawberries, sliced (for garnish, optional)
For the Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- ¼ cup fresh strawberries, pureed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together until well combined.
- Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients and blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and strawberry puree together.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; this keeps the cupcakes light and fluffy.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cupcakes cool, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until combined.
- Add the milk, strawberry puree, and vanilla extract. Beat the mixture until it’s fluffy and smooth. Adjust consistency with more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
- Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them generously with the strawberry frosting and top with fresh strawberry slices if you wish.
How to Serve Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
When it comes to serving fresh strawberry cupcakes, presentation plays a key role in enhancing their appeal. Start by placing the frosted cupcakes on a beautiful platter to showcase your hard work. You might consider garnishing them with additional fresh strawberry slices or a sprinkle of edible glitter to add a touch of elegance. These cupcakes pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for those who enjoy a rich, creamy accompaniment. If you’re serving them at a gathering, consider arranging them alongside other spring or summer desserts, such as fruit salads or tartlets, to create a refreshing dessert table. For an extra touch, place small labels or tags beside each cupcake, indicating that they feature real strawberries, to entice your guests even more. Whether it’s a casual picnic or a special occasion, these cupcakes will surely be a hit and enhance the ambiance of your gathering.
Expert Tips for Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
To elevate your fresh strawberry cupcakes, consider a few expert tips that can make a big difference. First, always use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor. Since the strawberries will be pivotal in the cupcake and frosting, ensure they are sweet and juicy. When pureeing strawberries, a quick blend in a food processor will give you a smooth consistency. If you want to enhance the strawberry flavor more, you could mix a bit of strawberry extract into your batter and frosting. For a lighter texture, you can sift the dry ingredients together. Mixing the batter by hand rather than using a mixer is a great technique to prevent overmixing, which can lead to dense cupcakes. If you wish to add texture, consider folding in small pieces of chopped strawberries into the batter just before portioning it into the liners. Finally, always allow your cupcakes to cool completely before frosting them. This step ensures that the frosting doesn’t melt and helps maintain that beautiful presentation.
How to Store Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
Storing your fresh strawberry cupcakes properly will ensure they stay fresh and tasty. If you have leftover cupcakes at room temperature, place them in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. They will generally stay fresh for 2-3 days this way. If you want to extend their lifespan, consider storing them in the refrigerator. Just remember to keep them in an airtight container to avoid drying out. They can typically last up to a week in the fridge. If you want to store them for an even longer period, freezing is an option. Wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They can stay fresh for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, transfer them from the freezer to the fridge to thaw overnight, then frost and serve when you’re ready.
Variations of Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
Exploring different variations of fresh strawberry cupcakes can be a fun way to keep your baking exciting. One delicious alternative is to add lemon zest to the batter, which brightens the flavor and complements the strawberries beautifully. You can also make strawberry shortcake cupcakes by layering some sliced strawberries between two layers of cake and frosting each layer with whipped cream. For a chocolate twist, consider adding cocoa powder to your batter for chocolate strawberry cupcakes or incorporating dark chocolate chunks. If you prefer a cream cheese frosting rather than buttercream, that’s another flavorful option that pairs wonderfully with the fruitiness of strawberries. When thinking about gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Lastly, you can experiment by mixing in other fruits like blueberries or raspberries along with strawberries for a mixed berry cupcake that adds visual appeal and variety.
FAQ about Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
What are fresh strawberry cupcakes made of?
Fresh strawberry cupcakes are made with all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, butter, eggs, milk, and pureed strawberries, topped with a creamy strawberry frosting.
How can I enhance the strawberry flavor in my cupcakes?
You can enhance the strawberry flavor by using ripe fresh strawberries for pureeing and adding a bit of strawberry extract to the batter and frosting.
Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?
Yes, you can make these fresh strawberry cupcakes gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
How should I store leftover fresh strawberry cupcakes?
Store leftover fresh strawberry cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week.
Can I make fresh strawberry cupcakes ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make fresh strawberry cupcakes ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freeze them for later enjoyment. Just frost them just before serving.
Are fresh strawberry cupcakes suitable for baking in high altitudes?
Yes, with some adjustments to the ingredients and baking time, fresh strawberry cupcakes can be baked successfully in high altitudes. You might need to increase the flour and decrease the baking powder slightly.
Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcake Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup milk
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
- as needed fresh strawberries, sliced (for garnish, optional) Optional garnish
Frosting Ingredients
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk Adjust for desired consistency
- 0.25 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together until well combined.
- Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients and blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and strawberry puree together.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until combined.
- Add the milk, strawberry puree, and vanilla extract. Beat until fluffy and smooth.
- Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them generously with the strawberry frosting and top with fresh strawberry slices if desired.
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