Chocolate and strawberry is a classic combination that never fails to impress. These Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes are a perfect way to indulge in that duo. Rich, moist chocolate cupcakes are filled with sweet strawberry jam and topped with a creamy, dreamy strawberry frosting. To make these cupcakes even more irresistible, they’re garnished with fresh strawberries and chocolatey goodness. Whether you’re preparing them for a special occasion, a birthday celebration, or just a sweet treat, these cupcakes are guaranteed to delight your taste buds with every bite. With their vibrant flavor combination, they’re perfect for any chocolate and fruit lover.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Perfect Flavor Combination

The rich, decadent chocolate cupcakes paired with the sweetness of strawberry jam and frosting creates an irresistible flavor profile that’s bound to satisfy your cravings.

2. Moist and Tender Cupcakes

The use of sour cream or yogurt in the cupcake batter ensures that these cupcakes are incredibly moist and tender, making every bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

3. Easy to Make

Despite their gourmet flavor, these cupcakes are easy to make and don’t require any advanced baking skills. The ingredients are simple and the steps straightforward.

4. Fun and Festive Presentation

These cupcakes are as beautiful as they are delicious. With garnishes like sliced strawberries and chocolate sprinkles, they make a perfect centerpiece for any dessert table.

5. Customizable Toppings

Feel free to play with the toppings! You can garnish with mini chocolate chips, chocolate ganache, or even chocolate-dipped strawberries for an extra touch of decadence.

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cupcakes:

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Semisweet chocolate chips
Instant espresso powder
Boiling water
Sour cream or plain yogurt
Vegetable or canola oil
Large eggs
Granulated sugar
Vanilla extract
Strawberry jam (for filling)

For the Strawberry Frosting:

Freeze-dried strawberries
Unsalted butter (softened)
Powdered sugar
Pure vanilla extract
Strawberry jam
Milk or fresh strawberries

For the Garnishes:

Sliced strawberries
Mini chocolate chips
Chocolate sprinkles
Chocolate ganache
Chocolate-dipped strawberries

Variations

Richer Frosting: For a more indulgent frosting, add a little cream cheese to the strawberry frosting for a tangy twist.
Flavored Cupcakes: Try adding a few drops of strawberry extract to the cupcake batter for an extra burst of strawberry flavor.
Vegan Version: Substitute the eggs and dairy ingredients with vegan alternatives such as flax eggs, almond milk, and non-dairy butter.
Baked in a Different Shape: You can also bake the batter into a cake or mini cakes if you prefer something other than cupcakes.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Cupcake Batter

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and instant espresso powder. In a separate bowl, mix together the boiling water, sour cream or yogurt, vegetable oil, eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips.

Step 2: Bake the Cupcakes

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 3: Make the Strawberry Frosting

In a food processor, pulse the freeze-dried strawberries until they are finely ground. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Add the powdered sugar, ground strawberries, vanilla extract, and strawberry jam. Continue to beat until smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add milk or fresh strawberry puree to reach your desired consistency.

Step 4: Fill the Cupcakes

Once the cupcakes have cooled, use a small knife or cupcake corer to remove the center of each cupcake. Fill the cavity with a teaspoon of strawberry jam.

Step 5: Frost the Cupcakes

Spread or pipe the strawberry frosting onto each cupcake. Be generous with the frosting for a beautiful, frosty topping.

Step 6: Add Garnishes

Top each cupcake with sliced strawberries, mini chocolate chips, chocolate sprinkles, or even a drizzle of chocolate ganache. You can also dip a few strawberries in chocolate for a fun, decorative garnish.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve these cupcakes at room temperature, and enjoy the combination of rich chocolate, sweet strawberry jam, and creamy frosting in every bite.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter, eggs, and sour cream (or yogurt) are at room temperature before mixing. This will help the ingredients combine more easily and result in a smoother batter.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the batter can lead to dense cupcakes. Mix until the ingredients are just combined to ensure a light and airy texture.
Chill the Frosting: If you plan on piping the frosting, chilling it for 20-30 minutes can help it firm up and hold its shape better.
Make it Even More Strawberry: For an even more intense strawberry flavor, you can add some finely chopped fresh strawberries into the frosting.

How to Serve

These cupcakes are perfect for any celebration or as an afternoon snack with a cup of tea or coffee. You can serve them at birthday parties, weddings, or holiday gatherings, and they’ll certainly be a hit. For an extra touch, serve them with a glass of milk or a cup of hot cocoa.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you live in a warmer climate, it’s best to refrigerate them after a day to keep the frosting fresh.

Freezing

These cupcakes can be frozen if you want to prepare them in advance. Freeze the cupcakes without frosting for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then frost just before serving.

Reheating

These cupcakes taste great at room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat them. However, if you prefer a warm cupcake, you can microwave them for about 10-15 seconds before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different frosting flavor?

Yes! You can use a chocolate frosting, vanilla buttercream, or even a whipped cream topping instead of strawberry frosting.

2. Can I make these cupcakes without the espresso powder?

Yes, the espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor, but it’s not essential. You can leave it out if you prefer.

3. Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried for the frosting?

Yes, you can use fresh strawberries, but they may add more moisture to the frosting. If you use fresh strawberries, reduce the milk or add more powdered sugar to compensate for the extra moisture.

4. Can I make these cupcakes without the strawberry jam filling?

Yes, you can skip the jam filling if you prefer, though it adds a delightful burst of strawberry flavor inside the cupcakes.

5. How can I make the frosting thicker?

If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

6. Can I use a cupcake mix instead of making the batter from scratch?

Yes, you can use a chocolate cupcake mix if you prefer a quicker option, but the homemade batter will give you the best flavor and texture.

7. Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cupcakes gluten-free.

8. Can I use a different type of jam?

Absolutely! You can use raspberry, blueberry, or even apricot jam if you prefer a different fruit flavor.

9. Can I make mini cupcakes instead?

Yes, you can make mini cupcakes with the same recipe. Just adjust the baking time to 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

10. Can I freeze these cupcakes?

Yes, you can freeze the cupcakes without the frosting for up to 3 months. Frost them after thawing for the best results.

Conclusion

These Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes are a perfect treat that blends rich, moist chocolate with the sweetness of strawberry. With a strawberry jam filling and a creamy strawberry frosting, they are a beautiful and delicious addition to any occasion. Easy to make and customize, they’re sure to be a hit with anyone who tries them. Whether you serve them at a celebration or enjoy them as a snack, these cupcakes are bound to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.