Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert, a special date night treat, or simply an indulgent escape? Look no further than these chocolate strawberry filled cupcakes! They’re not only visually stunning 💅🏻 but surprisingly easy to create.

I used my tried-and-true chocolate cupcake recipe as a foundation, but with a delightful twist. Each cupcake is carefully cored and generously filled with premium strawberry jam. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, consider substituting Nutella for an even richer experience (which is definitely next on my baking list!).

To complete the symphony of flavors, each cupcake is adorned with a magnificent strawberry cream cheese frosting. While classic American buttercream holds a special place in my heart, the addition of freeze-dried strawberries to cream cheese icing takes it to an entirely new level of deliciousness. It’s a game-changer!

Assemble Your Ingredients for Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes

Before you begin, gather all the necessary ingredients for your chocolate strawberry cupcake masterpiece. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: These can be found online or at specialized grocery stores like Trader Joe’s. You can purchase them already powdered or in whole form. If you opt for whole or small pieces, you’ll need to blend them into a fine powder using a food processor or blender.
• Cocoa Powder: Ensure you’re using natural unsweetened cocoa powder, not Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Dutch-processed cocoa powder interacts differently with baking soda, potentially hindering the cupcakes’ rise. Natural cocoa powder provides the best lift and flavor for this recipe.
• Oil: Employ a neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola oil. Utilizing oil instead of butter contributes to the cupcakes’ remarkable softness, keeping them delectable for days! This ensures a tender crumb and prevents the cupcakes from drying out too quickly.
• Sour Cream: The addition of sour cream introduces extra fat to the cupcakes, guaranteeing a supremely soft and moist outcome. The fat content contributes to the richness and prevents a dry texture.

Baking Time: Let’s Create These Amazing Cupcakes!

Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients, let’s embark on the exciting journey of creating these delightful chocolate strawberry cupcakes. Follow these step-by-step instructions for baking success:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake pan with cupcake liners. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients until well combined. In a separate bowl or measuring jug, whisk together all the wet ingredients (excluding the hot water) until smooth.

Step 2: Gently pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients, whisking until just almost combined. Avoid overmixing at this stage. Now, carefully pour in the hot water (the hot water will “bloom” the cocoa powder, intensifying its chocolate flavor and richness). Continue whisking until the batter is smooth and fully combined.

Step 3: Carefully fill each cupcake liner, ensuring they’re less than ¾ full. Overfilling the liners can cause the cupcakes to overflow during baking. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, it’s time to create the strawberry jam filling. Core each cupcake using a cupcake corer or a large piping tip. I find a large piping tip works particularly well! Gently press the bottom of the piping tip into the center of each cupcake, creating a well. Then, using a spoon, fill each well generously with your favorite strawberry jam.

Step 5: Now, let’s prepare the luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting. In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, salt, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar. Whisk the ingredients together vigorously until the mixture thickens and resembles Greek yogurt. This typically takes a few minutes, depending on the speed of your mixer.

Step 6: Gently add the cold cream cheese and strawberry powder to the whipped cream mixture. Mix on high speed for approximately 3 minutes, or until the frosting is thick, smooth, and holds its shape with stiff peaks. Once the frosting is ready, transfer it to a piping bag fitted with your preferred decorating tip. Frost each cupcake generously with the strawberry cream cheese frosting, creating beautiful swirls or rosettes. And finally, the best part… enjoy your delectable chocolate strawberry cupcakes!

Ella’s Baking Tips & Notes for Perfect Cupcakes

To ensure baking perfection, here are a few helpful tips and notes to keep in mind:

• Strawberry Jam: I opted for store-bought strawberry jam to save time and effort, but if you’re feeling ambitious and want to elevate the experience, consider filling your cupcakes with homemade strawberry jam! The fresh, homemade flavor will add an extra touch of luxury.
• Frosting Alternatives: While I adore the strawberry cream cheese frosting, you can certainly substitute it with a classic American buttercream if you prefer. I have a wonderful raspberry American buttercream recipe that you can easily adapt by swapping the freeze-dried raspberries for freeze-dried strawberries! This is a great option for those who prefer a sweeter, less tangy frosting.
• Chocolate Covered Strawberries: For an elegant and impressive touch, consider topping your cupcakes with homemade chocolate-covered strawberries. Simply wash and thoroughly dry your strawberries. Chop up some high-quality semisweet or milk chocolate and melt it in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until completely smooth. Dip the strawberries into the melted chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate. For a decorative swirl, transfer any leftover melted chocolate into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip and drizzle it over the dipped strawberries. Allow the chocolate to set completely before placing the strawberries on top of the cupcakes. This adds a delightful textural element and enhances the overall presentation.
• Storage Instructions: Store your finished cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. For the best flavor and texture, I recommend allowing the cupcakes to come to room temperature before serving. This will soften the frosting and enhance the overall moistness of the cake.

Made This Recipe?

Be sure to leave a ⭐️ rating and review in the comments below! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @alpineella or follow along on Pinterest, Facebook and TikTok for more baking inspiration!

Thank you!

Ella

Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting: A Delicious Combination

Ella Gilbert