Strawberry filled Chocolate Cupcakes

These strawberry filled chocolate cupcakes are perfect for Valentines day, or any other special occasion. Moist chocolate cupcakes are filled with the most delicious strawberry sauce. Then frosted with strawberry cream cheese frosting.

Whether you’re looking for a Valentines day treat, or an impressive dessert, these cupcakes are for you! They are full of chocolate and strawberry flavor. The cupcakes are soft and moist. The strawberry sauce is perfectly sweet and delicious. The strawberry frosting is fluffy, light, naturally colored and has a beautiful light pink color. Thanks to a special ingredient! It’s the ultimate strawberry filled chocolate cupcake!

Ingredients needed to make the chocolate strawberry cupcakes

You’ll need these ingredients to make the chocolate cupcake

• Flour: To provide structure.
  • Baking tip: Measure your flour by spooning the flour into the measuring cup then leveling it with a knife.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: For chocolate flavor.
• Baking soda and baking powder: To leaven the cupcake and ensure the cupcakes rise and become soft.
• Eggs: To add structure and leavening.
• Sugar: To add some sweetness.
• Vegetable oil: To keep the cupcakes moist.
• Sour cream: To make the cupcakes moist.
• Coffee: To bring out the chocolate flavor and make them even more chocolaty.

You’ll need these ingredients to make the strawberry sauce

• Strawberries: I halved and quarter the strawberries.
• Sugar: To add a little bit more sweetness.
• Cornstarch + water: To thicken up the sauce.

You’ll need these ingredients to make the strawberry frosting:

• Freeze dried strawberries: To add flavor and color to the frosting.
• Powdered sugar: To sweeten the frosting.
• Butter: I use unsalted butter.
• Cream cheese

How to make the cupcakes, strawberry sauce and frosting.

These strawberry filled chocolate cupcakes have three components. You’ll have the chocolate cupcake, the sauce, and the frosting. Let’s break down how to make each component.

Make the strawberry sauce:

You’ll want to make the strawberry sauce first so it has enough time to cool.

1. First, cut the strawberries in half. Then add the strawberries and sugar to a medium sauce pan. Cook for 5 minutes or until they released their juice.
2. In a separate small bowl, stir water and cornstarch together. Then add that to the strawberries. Cook for another few minutes or until thickened. Take off heat and cool completely. After the strawberry sauce cooled, I like to add fresh strawberries into the strawberry sauce. Cut a few strawberries into small pieces and mix them with the strawberry sauce. This is optional.

Make the Chocolate cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven. Line 16 cupcakes with cupcake liners and preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Whisk dry ingredients. In a medium sized bowl whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and baking powder. Then set aside.
3. Beat eggs, oil and sugar. Beat until the ingredients are combined or for about 3 minutes.
4. Add sour cream and vanilla extract. Beat on medium/low speed until just combined.
5. Add dry ingredients. Mix dry ingredients on low speed until just combined. Do not over beat. If you over beat the final result of the cupcake may be dry.
6. Add coffee. Once the flour is almost incorporated into the batter, add the coffee. Beat until combined.
7. Pour into cupcake tins and bake! Pour batter about ½-3/4 of the way full. Bake until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.

Make the strawberry frosting:

1. Combine cream cheese and butter. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
2. Add powdered sugar. Beat until fluffy and well incorporated.
3. Add crushed freeze dried strawberries. Beat until well combined. (If the frosting is too thick you can add a little bit of milk or heavy whipping cream.)

Assemble the cupcakes

1. Core cupcakes. You can use a cupcake corer or a knife.
2. Fill. Fill the cupcakes with the strawberry sauce. Slice off the pointy end of the piece of cupcake that was cut off. Then place that over the filling.
3. Frost and enjoy!

Why use freeze dried strawberries?

Freeze dried strawberries are crunchy and thin slices of strawberries. All the moister has been removed from the strawberries making them the perfect choice for frostings. They are perfect for frostings because they can be grinded into fine powder. This powder adds flavor and color to the frosting without making the frosting runny or curdle like fresh strawberries would.

Where do I get freeze dried strawberries? You can get freeze dried strawberries at any grocery store. They are usually in the snack aisle, near dry fruits/snacks/candy. Be sure to get freeze dried strawberries and NOT dried strawberries. Dried strawberries have a similar texture to raisins, or dried apricots. These won’t grind into powder.

Other strawberry recipes you may like

• Strawberry Ice cream Cake
• Mini Strawberry Tarts

If you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Comment and rate below. You comments will help me as well as other readers. I would also love to see your creation. Share your photo by tagging tasty_treat_pantry on Instagram.

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