These Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes are moist, tender and totally addicting! There are pieces of chopped strawberry in the cupcake and they are topped with strawberry buttercream! So much flavor and perfect for spring and summer!
I have loads of strawberry desserts on this site and certainly no shortage of variations of strawberry cake and cupcakes. What I love about these though is that they are pretty straight forward with a one-bowl vanilla cupcake base and chunks of strawberries in the batter. There’s plenty of strawberry flavor from the chunks of berries and then they are topped with a delicious strawberry buttercream. These cupcakes are light, moist and full of flavor. I love them so much!
These cupcakes have been updated a couple times over the years with slight improvements, so that you get the best strawberry cupcakes. Compared to the original version from 2012, these cupcakes now use a method that gives you a smoother batter that’s easier to put together, plus has a few more chopped strawberries. The strawberry buttercream also now uses a reduced strawberry puree, rather than just a regular strawberry puree, to give you that extra strawberry flavor. All that said, overall the cupcake is the same. It’s still delicious and just as wonderful now as when I originally shared it.
Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Cupcakes
- Loaded with strawberry flavor – From the chunks of strawberries in the cupcake, to the strawberry reduction in the buttercream, there’s no shortage of strawberry here. Bright, fruity and delicious flavor!
- No dyes – There’s no need for anything artificial here. The chunks of strawberry do the heavy lifting in the cupcake, and the buttercream gets it’s pink flavor naturally from the strawberry puree reduction.
- Easy to make – There’s no creaming involved, and you don’t even need a mixer for the cupcakes (just for the buttercream). These cupcakes come together quickly and easily. No gimmicks needed for amazing cupcakes.
- Moist for DAYS – With the fresh fruit adding moisture right into the cupcakes, these stay fresh for several days. Great for making ahead!
Ingredient Notes
Let’s take a look at the ingredients needed to make these cupcakes. They are pretty straight forward, but there are a few things to note. Please scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact measurements.
- All Purpose Flour – Measuring the flour correctly is key to getting the perfect texture. I like to use a food scale, but the spoon and level technique, as described in my How to Measure Flour Accurately post, also works. While I haven’t tested it myself, a quality 1:1 gluten-free flour should also work in these cupcakes.
- Baking powder and Baking Soda – The combination of the two gives this cupcake the ultimate rise and texture.
- Salt – Salt helps enhance the overall flavor of the cupcakes. Even a small amount makes a difference. Without it, the flavor is will be bland.
- Butter – Unsalted and melted for the cupcakes, since this recipe doesn’t cream the butter. It should be at room temperature for the buttercream.
- Eggs – Large sized eggs, not medium or extra large
- Sour Cream – Not only does sour cream add moisture, it also helps to keep the batter thick enough so that the strawberries don’t all sink to the bottom of your cupcakes. If you don’t want to use sour cream, you could also try plain Greek yogurt.
- Milk – I use whole milk, but 2% would also work.
- Strawberries – I like to chop them on the smaller side for the cupcakes, so that more can fit into each cupcake. For the buttercream, they will be pureed and cooked down for a stronger flavor.
- Powdered sugar – To add sweetness and volume to the buttercream. You can always reduce the amount, if you’d like. Just keep in mind that you’ll have less buttercream and it’ll have a thinner consistency.
How to Make Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
Here’s a look at just how easy these cupcakes are to make. The hardest part is waiting for them to cool before frosting!
Make the Strawberry Cupcakes
Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, sugar and vanilla extract together until well combined.
Add the eggs, sour cream and milk one at a time, mixing well after adding each.
Add the dry ingredients and whisk together until combined. Don’t over mix.
Fold in the chopped strawberries gently.
Fill the cupcake liners a little more than half full. Bake for 18-20 minutes.
Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
Make the Buttercream and Frost Cupcakes
Puree your strawberries, then add the puree to a small sized saucepan and cook over medium heat. Allow the mixture to come to a slow boil, stirring consistently to keep it from burning, until it has thickened and reduced 3/4 cup to about 6 tablespoons.
Set reduced puree aside to cool.
Flavor the buttercream with the strawberry reduction, then frost the cupcakes.
Tips for Perfect Cupcakes
- Use strawberries with good flavor. The flavor of your cake will only be as good as your strawberries.
- Don’t over mix. When combining all of the cupcake ingredients, mix just until everything is combined and no streaks of flour remain. Over mixing = more gluten development = dense cupcakes.
- Keep an eye on bake time. Every oven is different, so I recommend checking the cupcakes at about the 18 minute mark, then adjusting from there. A toothpick inserted in the center of the cake should come out clean.
- Stir the reduction frequently. The strawberry reduction will burn to the pan if it’s not stirred consistently. The constant stirring also helps more liquid evaporate.
- Thicken your buttercream properly. I know it’s tempting to reduce the powdered sugar for many people, but if you make your buttercream too thin (by reducing the powdered sugar), you won’t be able to add the strawberry reduction without getting a frosting that’s much too thin, or even separated. If you really want to reduce the sugar, reduce everything and just make less buttercream that has the same consistency.
How to Store
- Refrigerator. Seal any leftovers in an airtight container tall enough to accommodate the frosting (ideally a cupcake carrier) and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer. When stored properly in a freezer-safe airtight container, these cupcakes will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw in the fridge before enjoying.
These goodies are best at room temperature, so let them sit out on the counter for a bit before serving.
More Great Strawberry Recipes
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Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
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Ingredients
CUPCAKES
- 1 ⅔ cups (217g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (168g) unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (115g) sour cream
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons (90ml) milk
- 1 ½ cups (200g) chopped strawberries
FROSTING
- 1 ½ cups (200g) chopped strawberries
- 1 ¼ cups (280g) unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 5 cups (575g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch or two of salt
- Strawberries (for decorating)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) and prepare a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, sugar and vanilla extract together until well combined.
- Add the eggs and whisk together until well combined.
- Add the sour cream and whisk together until well combined.
- Add the milk and whisk together until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and whisk together until combined, but do not over mix.
- Fold in the chopped strawberries.
- Fill the cupcake liners a little more than half full and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove cupcakes from the oven and place on a cooling rack to cool.
- To make the strawberry buttercream, make the strawberry reduction. Add the strawberries to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. You should have about 3/4 cups of puree.
- Add the puree to a small sized saucepan and cook over medium heat. Allow the mixture to come to a slow boil, stirring consistently to keep it from burning, until it has thickened and reduced to about 6 tablespoons, about 10-15 minutes. To measure, pour the puree into a measuring cup. If it’s more than 6 tablespoons (between 1/4 and 1/2 cup), add it back to the pan and continue cooking.
- When the puree has thickened and reduced, pour into a large measuring cup and allow to cool to at least room temperature. This strawberry mixture can be made ahead, if you like, and stored in the fridge.
- Add the butter to a large mixer bowl and beat until smooth.
- Carefully add about half of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth and well combined.
- Add 4 tablespoons of the strawberry reduction, vanilla extract and the salt to the frosting and mix until well combined.
- Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add additional strawberry reduction as needed to get the right consistency and flavor.
- Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes. I used Ateco tip 844. Decorate with a strawberry half, if desired.
- Cupcakes are best when stored well covered or in an air-tight container. Serve at room temperature. Best if eaten within 2-3 days.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Enjoy!
Categories:
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I just made these and they are very dense
Wondering if it’s because it dorant call for salt and I used unsalted butter? Anybody know.
I don’t think the salt would be a problem. The cupcakes should be somewhere in the middle of dense and light and fluffy. There are a few things that could make them a little more dense – you want to make sure you measure the wet ingredients correctly using a measuring cup rather than the scoops used for dry ingredients. It’s possible that not enough air was beat into the batter – you don’t want to overbeat it, but once everything is combined, maybe beat another 20-30 seconds or so to get a little more air into it. And while this likely isn’t it – you could check your baking soda and baking powder for freshness – they are what makes the cupcake rise.
Also, because of the strawberries, make sure they aren’t too soft and liquid-y (like frozen strawberries). You don’t want to add more moisture from the berries.
Hi lindsey
thank you for the wonderful recipe. tried today for mother’s day. My frosting, however didnt turn out as good-it kind of split and wasnt firm, i also found it too sweet. is there a wau that we can cut down the sugar and fix the split?
I’m sorry the frosting didn’t turn out. I’m not sure why that would happen. The strawberry puree should really just add moisture and flavor to the icing base. Next time, try adding a little bit of puree at a time, just until it’s the right consistency. As for cutting down on the sweetness, if you use less powdered sugar, the icing probably won’t be thick enough. Some people tend to think cream cheese icing is less sweet though. You could try replacing the butter and shortening with cream cheese and make a strawberry cream cheese icing. I hope that helps!
You can add a touch of salt and that really helps cut the sweetness .
I just whipped up a batch for Mothers Day tomorrow and I have to say these are the best cupcakes I have ever made. And the best strawberry creation I’ve tasted. I made my own purée for the icing by boiling down 1/2 lb Strawberries and 1 Tblsp of Sugar until it’s like gooey jam and then blending it. This made the perfect amount for this recipe. My yield ended up being 18 cupcakes not 2 dozen. Next time I’ll just fill them half way to get the full yield. Thank you for this recipe!
Awesome! Thank you! I’m so glad you are happy with them! 🙂
These look amazing! Am I able to use frozen strawberries for this? Or does it have to be fresh?
I love baking. My friend goes to meetings every week & I often make something for her to take. She will love these, especially since they are made with fresh strawberries and homemade at that. Many thanks for sharing – can’t wait to try them. My mouth is watering just looking at the pics.
Gorgeous! I love baking with fresh strawberries!
Thanks Jessica! I do too 🙂
I love when a recipe for a baked good can pull off fresh fruit successfully. These look completely delightful!
I made the icing with just butter and although the icing tasted wonderful it did not look appealing. Any suggestions? The cupcake was a great hit with my family. Thank you 🙂
Hi Christine! I’m glad everyone loved the cupcake! Can you describe what about the icing looked unappealing? What is not firm enough?
Thank you Risa!
I was wondering if the strawberry cupcakes should be refrigerated or would they become runny?
These are absolutely gorgeous! I am obsessed. When I get fresh strawberries from the farmers market this summer I am 100% going home to bake these right away.
Thanks Rachel! You definitely should – SO good!
These cupcakes are total perfection Lindsay! I want to shove that frosting in my face right now. Pinned and shared on FB!
Haha, thanks Trish! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
I absolutely love strawberry frosting and could eat it straight out of a bowl with a spoon!! But it looks just gorgeous on top of these pretty cupcakes Lindsay!!
Thanks Renee! 🙂
These look so delicious! And perfectly dressed for Spring!
Thanks Lindsey! 🙂
Is strawberry puree just strawberries blended up and mashed in a blender?
Yes, basically. You can use a blender. I used my food processor.
I can’t wait till berry season so I can make these delicious cupcakes.
I’m in strawberry heaven! Love these cupcakes…and your other strawberry recipes too!
Thank you Marly! 🙂
These look insanely delicious! And that frosting? Get out!
Thanks Mandy!
Is there a way to pin individual recipes from your blog. I already have your blog pinned but it would be super if I could figure out a way to pin individual. I have tried pinning from the Bloglovin pin at the top but no picture shows up.
Thanks.
I’m sorry you’re having trouble Patty! At the bottom of each post, a little above the comments, is a line of social media icons that you can use to share posts – pinterest is one of them. I’ve also just installed something that will now put a “pin it” button at the top of each post. I hope that helps!
These cupcakes are absolutely gorgeous! I love the strawberries in them. Pinned 🙂
Thanks Lisa!
Are these standard size or minis ?
They are standard size cupcakes.
Hi do I add all the milk(1/4 + 1/8) in the cup cake mix
Yes, you add it all. There’s just not a good way to note that measurement. Though I guess technically it’s 3/8 of a cup. 🙂
I am not a fan of sorr cream. Could i replace that with whipped cream?
You could try using plain yogurt.
Is there an available video for this recipe?
Not at this time. Sorry!