Description
These Valentine Strawberry Cupcakes are a delightful combination of moist, tender vanilla cupcakes topped with a luscious and creamy strawberry frosting. Made with fresh strawberries baked right on top and enhanced by freeze-dried strawberry powder in the frosting, they deliver a perfect balance of sweet and fruity flavors ideal for any romantic occasion or celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cupcakes
- 1 cup milk of choice (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vinegar (can also use apple cider vinegar)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled, can also use any neutral oil, if using salted butter, omit salt)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (can use less)
- 14–16 fresh strawberries (chopped into small bits)
For the Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened, if using salted butter, omit the salt)
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar (add more if needed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk of choice (add more if needed)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line muffin tins with cupcake liners and lightly spray them with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Make Buttermilk Mixture: Combine the vinegar and milk in a measuring cup and stir. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it curdles, creating a buttermilk substitute essential for tender cupcakes.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and flavoring agents.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the curdled milk mixture, melted butter or oil, and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients. Mix by hand with a whisk or use a mixer on low speed to combine until just smooth. Avoid overmixing to keep the cupcakes tender.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, evenly divide the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
- Add Fresh Strawberries: Place a spoonful of chopped fresh strawberries on top of the batter in each cupcake liner. Do not mix them into the batter; they will bake on top adding a fresh burst of flavor.
- Bake Cupcakes: Place the muffin tin on the center rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 20-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, indicating they are fully baked.
- Cool Cupcakes: Remove the cupcakes from the oven. Let them cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Make Strawberry Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened unsalted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk until the mixture begins to form a creamy frosting.
- Add Strawberry Powder: Incorporate the freeze-dried strawberry powder into the frosting and continue to mix. Add additional heavy cream or milk as needed and beat for 3-5 minutes until the frosting is smooth and airy.
- Adjust Frosting Consistency: For stiffer frosting, add more powdered sugar; for creamier texture, add more heavy cream or milk. The ideal consistency should allow you to pipe the frosting easily using a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
- Decorate Cupcakes: Pipe the strawberry frosting onto the cooled cupcakes as desired. Serve and enjoy these festive, fruity treats perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
Notes
- If using salted butter, omit the added salt to balance flavors.
- The vinegar in the milk creates a buttermilk substitute that helps tenderize the cupcakes.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough cupcakes.
- Freeze-dried strawberry powder intensifies the strawberry flavor in the frosting.
- The frosting consistency can be adjusted by adding more powdered sugar or cream depending on your preference.
- Fresh strawberries are placed on top before baking for a burst of flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Valentine Strawberry Cupcakes, strawberry cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, strawberry frosting, homemade cupcakes, romantic dessert, holiday cupcakes
