Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes with Jam Filling
Yield: 12 cupcakes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 18–20 minutes
Cool Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cupcakes:
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
2 large eggs
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
⅓ cup vegetable oil
½ cup buttermilk (or milk + ½ tsp vinegar)
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup hot coffee or hot water (for bloom and moisture)
For the Filling:
½ cup strawberry jam or preserves (seedless preferred, or strain if chunky)
For the Strawberry Buttercream Frosting:
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1½–2 cups powdered sugar (adjust for consistency)
3 tbsp freeze-dried strawberries, finely ground (or 2 tbsp strawberry puree)
1–2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
Pinch of salt
Optional: ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Make the Chocolate Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, beat eggs, sugars, oil, vanilla, and buttermilk until combined.
Mix in dry ingredients until just combined, then slowly add hot coffee or water. Batter will be thin.
Divide batter evenly among liners (fill about ¾ full).
Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Fill the Cupcakes:
Once cooled, use a cupcake corer or knife to remove a small center core from each cupcake.
Fill the center with about 1–2 teaspoons of strawberry jam.
Replace a portion of the cupcake top if desired (or leave open if frosting will cover it).
3. Make the Strawberry Frosting:
Beat butter until light and creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar and ground freeze-dried strawberries.
Add cream/milk and vanilla, then beat until fluffy. Adjust with more sugar or cream as needed.
Frost cupcakes using a piping bag or spread with a spatula.
🍫 Optional Garnishes:
Fresh strawberries (halved or whole)
Chocolate shavings or drizzle
A dollop of extra jam on top