Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting

These chocolate cupcakes with strawberry frosting start with moist, fudgy chocolate cake. Then they’re topped with creamy strawberry buttercream made from real strawberries.

Chocolate and strawberries – could there be a better combo? There’s just something about fudgy, creamy chocolate and fresh, sweet, juicy berries that go so perfectly together. And when Valentine’s day rolls around, these chocolate cupcakes with strawberry frosting are the perfect thing.

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I always get really excited for Valentine’s Day, and I love the idea of taking a day to appreciate the people we love – and after cold, dreary January, I think everyone can use something to brighten their day.

I don’t typically buy gifts or do anything too fancy for Valentine’s Day – but I love to make a special treat to celebrate. And these chocolate cupcakes with strawberry frosting are great for February 14th, or whenever you’re looking for a chocolate cupcake recipe that’s just a little extra special.

How to Make Chocolate Cupcakes

The chocolate cupcakes are moist, fudgy, and have a perfectly soft cupcake crumb. Oil keeps the cupcakes moist. Then we’re using buttermilk for a soft, delicate cupcake crumb. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand – you can make your own with vinegar and 1% or 2% milk. Then for a super fudgy rich chocolate flavor, I recommend using dutch process cocoa.

Start by whisking all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, cream together all the wet ingredients. Then add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Spoon the batter into a cupcake pan lined with cupcake liners and bake. Let them cool completely before adding the frosting.

How to Make Strawberry Buttercream

For the strawberry frosting, we’re using real strawberries. You can use fresh or frozen berries – but if using frozen berries just make sure they aren’t packed in syrup or sugar.

First process the berries in your food processor or blender, and then put the juice through a metal sieve to remove the seeds. I usually do about 1/2 at a time and push the mixture through using the back of a spoon. It can be a little tedious – so if you don’t mind seeds in your frosting, you can skip this step.

Then boil the juice down until it’s thick like jam, and place it in the fridge or freezer to cool. After this is done – making the strawberry buttercream frosting is straight forward. Beat the butter until fluffy, then slowly beat in the powdered sugar followed by the cooled, boiled down strawberry puree.

PRO TIP: If you really want to amp up the strawberry flavor (and color), pulverize a half cup or so of freeze-dried strawberries, and mix those in.

What Piping Tip to Use on Cupcakes

You can either frost the cupcakes using a piping bag and tip (I used a 1M) or simply frost them with a knife.

You’ll absolutely love the bright pink color of the frosting, fudginess of the cupcakes, and fresh strawberry flavor. These chocolate cupcakes with strawberry cupcakes are always a showstopper – and if you’re looking for a treat for Valentine’s day – then these are the perfect thing.

Do Cupcakes with Frosting Need to be Refrigerated?

Cupcakes should be stored at room temperature.

Cupcakes that are stored in the refrigerator will dry out.

How Long Will Cupcakes Keep?

Cupcakes should be covered with plastic wrap or foil.

Properly stored, cupcakes will keep for about 1 week.

Can You Freeze Cupcakes?

Cupcakes can be frozen for up to 3 months.

They should be placed in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag.

How Far in Advance Can I Make Cupcakes for a Party?

These cupcakes are a great make ahead option for a party or birthday. They can be made up to a couple of days ahead of time. Make the cupcakes and store them in an airtight container and then frost them right before serving.

Chocolate cupcakes with strawberry frosting are the perfect combination of rich chocolate and bright fresh strawberry. Everyone will be asking for the recipe!

More Cupcakes Recipes to Try:

• Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
• Spice Cupcakes
• Raspberry Lime Cupcakes
• Apple Cider Cupcakes
• Lemon Blueberry Cupcake

4.50 from 8 votes

Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting

By Fiona

Prep45 minutes mins

Cook15 minutes mins

Total1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings14 Cupcakes

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These chocolate cupcakes with strawberry frosting start with moist, fudgy chocolate cake. Then they’re topped with creamy strawberry buttercream made from real strawberries.

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Ingredients 

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Chocolate Cupcakes

• ▢ 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
• ▢ 1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• ▢ 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
• ▢ 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• ▢ 2 Large Eggs
• ▢ 1/2 Cup Buttermilk, or 1 ½ teaspoons white vinegar (or lemon juice) mixed with 1/2 cup milk

Strawberry Frosting

• ▢ 12 Ounces Strawberries, fresh or frozen (if using frozen – make sure they aren’t packed in syrup or sugar)
• ▢ 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, softened
• ▢ 4-5 Cups Powdered Sugar
• ▢ 1-2 Tablespoons Whipping Cream or Heavy Cream

US Customary – Metric

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Instructions 

Chocolate Cupcakes

• Preheat the oven to 365F degrees and line muffin trays with muffin papers (you'll end up with about 14 cupcakes total).
• In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  1 Cup All-Purpose Flour, 1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder, 1 teaspoon Baking Powder, 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda, 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• In a separate large bowl beat together the oil, sugar, vanilla extract and eggs.
  1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil, 1 Cup Granulated Sugar, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 2 Large Eggs
• Turn the mixer to low and carefully beat in about 1/2 of the flour mixture followed by about 1/2 of the buttermilk. Repeat with the rest of the flour mixture and buttermilk.
  1/2 Cup Buttermilk
• Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan, filling each about 2/3 full.
• Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Strawberry Frosting

• Core the strawberries, if not already.
  12 Ounces Strawberries
• Place the strawberries in a food processor or blender and pulse until they're pureed. (If using frozen – you may want to warm up the berries in the microwave to make this easier).
• Put the puree through a metal sieve to remove the seeds. I press it through using the back of a spoon.
• Place the puree in a medium sauce pan and bring to a gently boil while stirring occasionally to avoid burning. Boil until the mixture is thick like jam and reduced to about 1/4 to 1/3 cup. (About 10-20 minutes).
• Place in the fridge or freezer to cool completely.
• In a large bowl beat the butter until fluffy. Carefully beat in 2 cups of powdered sugar.
  1 Cup Unsalted Butter, 4-5 Cups Powdered Sugar
• Then beat in 3-4 tablespoons of reduced strawberry puree. It must be cold – otherwise the frosting can separate.
• Beat in the rest of the powdered sugar about 1/2 cup at a time until the desired consistency is reached. Add in 1-2 tablespoons cream as needed.
  1-2 Tablespoons Whipping Cream or Heavy Cream
• Frost the cupcakes using a piping bag and tip or a knife.

Recipe Notes

Cupcakes can be frozen for up to 3 months before frosting and serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 368kcal, Carbohydrates: 60g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 59mg, Sodium: 102mg, Potassium: 148mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 50g, Vitamin A: 456IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 39mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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