Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Introduction

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes bring the classic combination of rich chocolate and sweet strawberries into a delightful, soft cupcake form. These cupcakes feature a moist chocolate cake base, topped with a creamy strawberry frosting and a decadent chocolate drizzle. The combination of flavors and textures is perfect for any special occasion or just a sweet indulgence.

I first made these for a family celebration, and they quickly became a favorite. The rich, chocolatey base paired with the light, fruity frosting was a crowd-pleaser, and the chocolate drizzle added that extra touch of elegance. These cupcakes are versatile too—you can dress them up with a fresh strawberry on top or sprinkle them with a bit of cocoa powder for added flavor.

What’s great about these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes is how easy they are to make, yet they look and taste like something from a bakery. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a holiday, or simply treating yourself, these cupcakes are sure to impress!

Perfect for:

• Birthdays
• Valentine’s Day
• Special occasions
• Chocolate and strawberry lovers

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Here’s why Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes will become a favorite:

• Moist and Flavorful Cake: The rich chocolate cake is incredibly moist and pairs beautifully with the strawberry frosting.
• Creamy Strawberry Frosting: The strawberry frosting is light, fluffy, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor.
• Decadent Chocolate Drizzle: The chocolate drizzle on top adds a perfect touch of extra indulgence.
• Visually Stunning: These cupcakes look as good as they taste, with vibrant pink frosting and a glossy chocolate finish.
• Easy to Make: Despite their elegant appearance, these cupcakes are simple to make and require just a few steps.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
• Servings: 12 cupcakes
• Calories per serving: Approximately 250-300 calories
• Key Nutrients: Protein: 3g, Carbs: 35g, Fat: 12g

Ingredients

Gather these ingredients to make your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes:

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup hot water

Strawberry Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup fresh strawberry puree
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Chocolate Drizzle:

• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes:

Prepare the Cupcakes:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Combine the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat together the eggs, vanilla extract, buttermilk, and vegetable oil.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Add the Hot Water: Slowly add the hot water to the batter, mixing until smooth. The batter will be thin, but that’s okay—it will yield a moist cake.
6. Bake the Cupcakes: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool the Cupcakes: Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Strawberry Frosting:

8. Make the Strawberry Puree: Blend fresh strawberries in a food processor or blender until smooth.
9. Cream the Butter: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
10. Add the Strawberry Puree and Sugar: Gradually add the strawberry puree, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, mixing until smooth and creamy. Adjust the sugar as needed for desired sweetness and consistency.

Chocolate Drizzle:

11. Melt the Chocolate: In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the chopped chocolate and heavy cream together, stirring until smooth.
12. Drizzle the Chocolate: Once the cupcakes have cooled and the frosting has been piped on, drizzle the melted chocolate over the cupcakes in a decorative pattern.

How to Serve Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes are perfect for any occasion and can be served in a variety of ways:

• As a Dessert Table Addition: These cupcakes make a great addition to dessert tables at parties, weddings, or holidays.
• With a Hot Beverage: Serve with a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea for a cozy treat.
• For Gifting: Package these cupcakes in cute boxes or jars for a sweet homemade gift.
• As a Special Treat: Enjoy them as a special dessert after dinner or as a snack to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Additional Tips for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Here are some tips to ensure your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes are perfect every time:

• Use Fresh Strawberries: Fresh strawberries provide the best flavor for the frosting.
• Adjust Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add a little more strawberry puree or a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency.
• Chill the Chocolate Drizzle: If you want a thicker chocolate drizzle, chill the melted chocolate for a few minutes before drizzling over the cupcakes.
• Make Cupcake Base Ahead of Time: You can prepare the chocolate cupcake base ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days before frosting.
• Freeze Leftover Cupcakes: If you have leftover cupcakes, store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Recipe Variations for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Here are 5 variations you can try for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes:

• Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes: Substitute raspberry puree for the strawberry puree to make chocolate raspberry cupcakes.
• White Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes: Use white chocolate chips or melted white chocolate for the drizzle instead of semi-sweet chocolate.
• Mini Cupcakes: Make these cupcakes in mini cupcake tins for bite-sized treats.
• Strawberry Jam Filling: Add a spoonful of strawberry jam in the center of each cupcake for an extra burst of strawberry flavor.
• Chocolate Fudge Frosting: Use a chocolate fudge frosting instead of the strawberry frosting for a double-chocolate treat.

Freezing and Storage for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

• Freezing: These cupcakes freeze well. Store them in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Storage: Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’ve already drizzled the chocolate, refrigerate them to keep the chocolate firm.

Special Equipment for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Here are some special equipment items to make preparing your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes easier:

• Stand Mixer – For easily mixing the cupcake batter and frosting.
• Cupcake Pan – A 12-cup cupcake pan for baking the cupcakes.
• Cupcake Liners – Decorative paper liners for easy cupcake removal.
• Offset Spatula – For evenly spreading frosting on top of the cupcakes.
• Piping Bags – For filling the cupcakes with frosting or for decorative piping.
• Wilton Tip 1M – A popular piping tip for creating beautiful swirls of frosting.
• Candy Thermometer – To ensure the chocolate coating melts to the right temperature for dipping.
• Melting Pot – To melt chocolate smoothly without burning.
• Cooling Rack – For cooling the cupcakes after baking, preventing sogginess.
• Strawberry Corer – To remove the center of the strawberries for filling them with chocolate.
• Toothpicks or Skewers – To dip the strawberries into the melted chocolate without making a mess.

Frequently Asked Questions for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

1. Can I use frozen strawberries for the frosting?
   Fresh strawberries are best for the frosting, but if you use frozen strawberries, make sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture.
2. Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
   Yes, you can prepare the cupcakes and frosting ahead of time, storing them separately until you’re ready to assemble the cupcakes.
3. Can I use a different type of chocolate for the drizzle?
   Yes, feel free to experiment with milk chocolate, white chocolate, or even dark chocolate for the drizzle.
4. How do I get the frosting smooth and fluffy?
   Beat the butter for a few minutes before adding the powdered sugar, and make sure to mix the frosting on medium speed for a smooth and fluffy texture.
5. Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?
   Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cupcakes gluten-free.

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Conclusion

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes are the perfect blend of chocolate and strawberry flavors in a decadent, easy-to-make treat. With a rich chocolate cake, creamy strawberry frosting, and a decadent chocolate drizzle, these cupcakes are sure to become a favorite for any occasion. They’re versatile, delicious, and visually stunning—making them the perfect dessert for any chocolate and strawberry lover.

This recipe is as delightful to prepare as it is to enjoy, making it perfect for everything from birthday parties to casual get-togethers. Whether you’re baking for a special celebration or simply treating yourself, these cupcakes will impress every time.

I’d love to see how your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes turn out! Snap a photo, share it on social media, and don’t forget to tag me—I can’t wait to see your delicious creations. Happy baking!