Description
Delight in these whimsical Monster Strawberry Cupcakes featuring moist strawberry-infused cupcakes topped with vibrant green vanilla buttercream. Perfect for parties and themed events, these cupcakes combine fresh strawberries and preserves in the batter for a burst of fruity flavor, finished with a creamy, colorful frosting and fun monster strawberry decorations.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcakes
- 3 tbsp strawberry jam or preserves
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh strawberries
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 egg whites
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 drops pink food coloring
- 1/3 cup milk
Vanilla Buttercream
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 6-8 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3-4 drops green food gel dye
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cupcakes.
- Mix Strawberries and Jam: In a small bowl, combine the chopped fresh strawberries with the strawberry jam or preserves, setting aside to incorporate flavors.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt thoroughly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy for the cupcake base.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg whites, vanilla extract, and pink food coloring to the creamed mixture until fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients with Milk: Gradually add the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, beating on low speed to combine smoothly.
- Fold in Strawberries and Jam: Gently fold the strawberry and jam mixture into the batter, ensuring even distribution without overmixing.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Spoon batter into cupcake liners, filling them about three-quarters full for optimal rise.
- Bake Cupcakes: Place the cupcakes in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Buttercream: With a paddle attachment on an electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter until light and fluffy.
- Add Sugar, Cream, and Vanilla: Slowly blend in 6 cups of powdered sugar along with the cream and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly.
- Adjust Consistency: Gradually add additional powdered sugar one cup at a time until the buttercream reaches the desired thickness.
- Add Green Food Coloring: Beat in the green food gel dye until color is evenly distributed and smooth.
- Decorate: Frost the cooled cupcakes with the green vanilla buttercream and top with oreo crumbs and monster strawberries for a spooky finish.
Notes
- Strawberry cupcake recipe adapted from Karas Party Ideas.
- Buttercream frosting inspired by Martha Stewart’s recipe.
- Use fresh strawberries and good-quality preserves for the best flavor.
- Adjust the amount of green food gel dye to achieve desired frosting color intensity.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- For monster strawberry decorations, dip strawberries in chocolate and decorate with edible eyes or sprinkles as desired.
- Pink food coloring is optional and can be adjusted or omitted based on preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
