Strawberry Cheesecake Red Velvet Cupcakes

Makes: 12–14 cupcakes

Time: ~40 min + cooling

🧁 Cupcake Ingredients (Red Velvet Base)

1 1/4 cups (160g) all-purpose flour

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk

1 tbsp red food coloring (gel or liquid)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp white vinegar

🍓 Strawberry Cheesecake Filling

4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup (60g) strawberry jam or puree

2 tbsp powdered sugar

Optional: 2–3 fresh strawberries, finely diced

🍰 Frosting Options

(Choose one or do a swirl combo!)

1. Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz (225g) cream cheese

1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter

3 1/2 cups (420g) powdered sugar

1/4 cup strawberry puree or thick jam

1 tsp vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

2. Vanilla Whipped Buttercream (Lighter Option)
1 cup (230g) unsalted butter

3 cups (360g) powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1–2 tbsp milk or cream

Optional: 2 tbsp strawberry jam for color/flavor

🔪 Instructions
1. Prep Time
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line a muffin tin with 12–14 cupcake liners.

2. Make the Strawberry Cheesecake Filling
Mix cream cheese, strawberry jam, and powdered sugar until smooth.

Fold in chopped strawberries if using.

Chill until ready to use.

3. Mix the Red Velvet Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.

In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy (2–3 min).

Add egg, beat well, then add buttermilk, red coloring, vanilla, and vinegar.

Mix in dry ingredients until just combined — don’t overmix.

4. Assemble & Bake
Fill each cupcake liner halfway with red velvet batter.

Add 1 heaping tsp of strawberry cheesecake filling in the center.

Top with more batter until 2/3 full.

Bake for 18–22 minutes, until tops are set and slightly springy.

Cool completely before frosting.

5. Make the Frosting
Beat butter (and cream cheese if using) until smooth.

Add sugar gradually, then strawberry puree and vanilla.

Whip until fluffy and pipeable.

6. Frost & Decorate
Pipe tall swirls with a large tip (Wilton 1M or 2D).

Garnish with a fresh strawberry, red velvet crumbs, or white chocolate drizzle.