Looking for a dessert that’s sweet, light, and perfect for any occasion? Look no further than these Sweetheart Strawberry Cupcakes! With a moist and tender strawberry-infused cake topped with a creamy strawberry buttercream, these cupcakes are sure to steal your heart. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or simply craving something sweet, these delightful cupcakes are the perfect way to show someone you care.
The Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat
If you’re looking for the perfect treat to steal hearts and satisfy sweet cravings, look no further than these Sweetheart Strawberry Cupcakes! Bursting with fresh strawberry flavor and topped with a luscious, creamy strawberry buttercream, these cupcakes are as dreamy as they sound. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just indulging in a sweet moment, these cupcakes are guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone at the table.
The cake itself is soft and tender, with delicate bits of fresh strawberries tucked inside, while the silky buttercream swirls on top create a picture-perfect finish. Add a fresh strawberry on top for the ultimate pop of color, and you’ve got a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Every bite is a perfect balance of fruity sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth softness, making these cupcakes the ideal way to spread some love—whether for Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or just because!
Let’s dive in and make these gorgeous, irresistible cupcakes that are sure to steal the show at your next celebration.
What You’ll Need (Equipment List):
- Mixing bowls – One for dry ingredients, one for wet ingredients
- Hand or stand mixer – To make that batter and frosting light and fluffy
- Measuring cups and spoons – Baking is all about precision!
- Whisk – For mixing dry ingredients
- Rubber spatula – To scrape down the sides and get every bit of batter
- Cupcake liners – To keep the cupcakes from sticking to the pan
- Muffin pan – To bake your cupcakes in
- Cooling rack – For even cooling
- Piping bag and tip – For those perfect buttercream swirls (or use a spoon if you prefer!)
How to make Sweetheart Strawberry Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (360g)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (227g)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (300g)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream, room temperature (120g)
- ½ cup whole milk, room temperature (120ml)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped (220g)
- 1 drop soft pink food coloring (optional, but fun!)
For the Strawberry Buttercream:
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature (340g)
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 cups powdered sugar (720g)
- 6 tbsp pureed fresh strawberries (about 6 large berries/90ml)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two muffin pans with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Gradually add the sugar, continuing to mix until smooth.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to elevate the flavor.
- In a small cup, mix together the sour cream and milk. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the sour cream and milk mixture. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. Gently mix until combined.
- Gently fold in the finely chopped fresh strawberries and, if desired, the pink food coloring to give the batter a fun pink tint.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ of the way full (around ¼ cup of batter per liner).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Strawberry Buttercream:
- While the cupcakes cool, prepare the buttercream. Beat the butter and salt in a large mixing bowl for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing it in slowly to avoid a sugar cloud. Once incorporated, add the pureed strawberries and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Once the cupcakes are fully cooled, transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with your favorite tip (I recommend a large star tip for beautiful swirls).
- Pipe the buttercream generously onto each cupcake in a swirl pattern.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries on top for the perfect finishing touch!
These Sweetheart Strawberry Cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Not only do they taste amazing, but they also look so pretty! They’re sweet, fluffy, and topped with that irresistible strawberry buttercream. So, grab your ingredients, turn on your oven, and get ready to wow your friends, family, or that special someone. Happy baking!
Tips for Perfect Sweetheart Strawberry Cupcakes:
- Sour cream adds moisture and richness to the cupcakes, so don’t skip it! It ensures the cupcakes stay soft and tender.
- For an extra touch, you can garnish the cupcakes with a small piece of chocolate or even a sprinkle of edible glitter if you’re feeling fancy!
- The pink food coloring is optional, but it’s a fun way to make these cupcakes look extra festive, especially for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion!
Serving Suggestions:
These cupcakes are perfect for any celebration – whether it’s a birthday, a sweet treat for your loved one, or a fun afternoon snack. Pair with a warm cup of tea or coffee, and you’re all set for a delicious, heartwarming experience.
Make-Ahead Tip:
You can bake the cupcakes a day in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Frost them the day of serving to keep the buttercream fresh and creamy.
With their perfect balance of strawberry flavor, moist cake, and rich buttercream, these Sweetheart Strawberry Cupcakes are sure to win over anyone who takes a bite! Happy baking!
Sweetheart Strawberry Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ibsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
- ½ cup whole milk, room temperature
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped
- 1 drop soft pink food coloring (optional, but fun!)
For the Strawberry Buttercream:
- 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 6 tbsp pureed fresh strawberries (about 6 large berries)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two muffin pans with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Gradually add the sugar, continuing to mix until smooth.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to elevate the flavor.
- In a small cup, mix together the sour cream and milk. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the sour cream and milk mixture. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. Gently mix until combined.
- Gently fold in the finely chopped fresh strawberries and, if desired, the pink food coloring to give the batter a fun pink tint.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ of the way full (around ¼ cup of batter per liner).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Strawberry Buttercream:
- While the cupcakes cool, prepare the buttercream. Beat the butter and salt in a large mixing bowl for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing it in slowly to avoid a sugar cloud. Once incorporated, add the pureed strawberries and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Once the cupcakes are fully cooled, transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with your favorite tip (I recommend a large star tip for beautiful swirls).
- Pipe the buttercream generously onto each cupcake in a swirl pattern.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries on top for the perfect finishing touch!
Notes
Alternatives to customize your Sweetheart Strawberry Cupcakes
For a Lighter Version:
- Butter: Swap the unsalted butter for Greek yogurt or applesauce to reduce the fat content.
- Sugar: Use a sugar substitute like Stevia or Erythritol to make the cupcakes lower in sugar.
For a Flavor Twist:
- Add Lemon: Incorporate lemon zest into the batter for a zesty contrast to the strawberries.
- Use Raspberries or Blueberries: Instead of strawberries, swap in raspberries or blueberries for a different fruity flavor.
Nutrition
Note: Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used. – Nutrition Information Disclaimer
HAVE YOU TRIED MAKING THIS Sweetheart Strawberry Cupcakes RECIPE?
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Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day treat? These Sweetheart Strawberry Cupcakes are a showstopper! Fluffy cake, creamy frosting, and fresh strawberries – what’s not to love? 🍓💖 #ValentinesDay #Cupcakes #Baking
Treat your loved ones to these Sweetheart Strawberry Cupcakes! Soft strawberry cake, creamy buttercream, and fresh strawberries make them the perfect Valentine’s Day treat! 🍓💖 #ValentinesDay #Cupcakes #Baking #Strawberry
This looks like a winner for a family-friendly Valentine’s night! My wife and I are always looking for creative ways to make holidays special for the kids. Appreciate the balance of sweet and savory—because let’s be real, I need some cheese with my chocolate! Thanks for the great ideas!
I am so happy you enjoyed it! That makes my day! Feel free to share it with your family and friends!
This is such a fun idea for Valentine’s Day! My kids would love snacking on a mix of sweet and savory treats. Thanks for the easy breakdown—I can’t wait to surprise my family with a festive charcuterie board! Definitely adding heart-shaped cheeses to the list!
These are so delicious, yummy!!!