Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes
⭐ Makes: 12 cupcakes
⏱ Total Time: ~1 hour (plus cooling & decorating)
Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcake Base:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
½ cup buttermilk
¼ cup strong brewed coffee (or hot water)
1½ tsp vanilla extract
Strawberry Filling:
¾ cup chopped fresh strawberries
1½ tbsp sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
Optional: 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (for thicker compote style)
OR use strawberry jam/preserves for a shortcut!
Strawberry Buttercream:
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into powder
2 cups powdered sugar
1–2 tbsp milk or cream
½ tsp vanilla extract
Optional: a touch of pink gel food coloring for extra pop
Toppings (for full “chocolate-covered strawberry” effect):
12 fresh strawberries
½ cup melted dark chocolate or chocolate chips (for dipping)
Sprinkles, crushed freeze-dried strawberries, or a chocolate drizzle
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tin with 12 liners.
Whisk dry ingredients: flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt.
In a separate bowl, mix sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk.
Stir in coffee/hot water.
Add dry ingredients and mix just until smooth.
Fill liners ¾ full and bake 18–20 minutes. Cool completely.
2. Make the Strawberry Filling
In a small saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat.
Cook until soft and jammy (5–7 min). For thicker filling, stir in cornstarch slurry and simmer 1–2 min more.
Let cool, then core cupcakes and fill with about 1–2 tsp per cupcake.
3. Make the Frosting
Beat butter until fluffy.
Add strawberry powder, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Beat until smooth and berry-pink.
Pipe onto cooled, filled cupcakes.
4. Decorate
Dip fresh strawberries halfway into melted chocolate and let set on parchment.
Place one on top of each frosted cupcake.
Optional: drizzle with more chocolate or add sprinkles!