Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

These Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting are perfect for any type of small celebration. Made with fresh strawberry puree, these cupcakes exude strawberry flavor from the cake to the decadent strawberry cream cheese icing they are topped with! Makes 6 cupcakes.

Love small batch sweets? Don’t miss Margarita Cupcakes with Salted Tequila Frosting and Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes!

A white platter of decorated Strawberry Cupcakes

Today’s an important day—it’s our anniversary!

On our wedding day, we cut into a gorgeous tiered cake with white, chocolate and strawberry layers at our wedding reception. A year later, we ate the strawberry cake topper to celebrate one year of matrimony.

So today, I wanted to share my Small Batch Strawberry Cupcake recipe as a nod to our wedding cake. These cupcakes are topped with a decadent strawberry cream cheese frosting. And the best thing? We don’t have to use any artificial strawberry flavoring to get the flavors we want and need!

Why I love this recipe

I cannot tell y’all how many times I have tried and failed to make cupcakes using actual strawberries instead of strawberry jello or strawberry extract. The texture can get gloopy if not done right, and a cupcake not done right is incredibly sad.

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    These cupcakes are delightful! They don’t taste artificial (because hey, they use FRESH STRAWBERRY PUREE to flavor them!) The strawberry flavor is subtle, the cake is fluffy and the icing, which is made with more strawberry goodness, sings.

    The added bonus is that this recipe makes just six cupcakes. The icing is for six cupcakes. And you won’t have the chance to overindulge as much as you would with a recipe that makes 18-24 cupcakes.

    It’s a win-win… especially if you’re celebrating an occasion with just two people!

    Other celebratory desserts we adore: Funfetti Sugar Cookie Bars | Chocolate-Covered Raspberry Cupcakes with Raspberry Chocolate Cream Cheese Filling and Raspberry Buttercream Frosting | Strawberry and Blueberry Hand Pies

    A collage of wedding images of a newlywed couple cutting a cake

    What you need to make Strawberry Cupcakes

    The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

    In addition to these tools, you’ll need some ingredients that may or may not live in your pantry, depending on how you stock yours.

    • Coconut oil—I prefer refined because it has less coconut flavor, but if you don’t have this on hand, feel free to use canola or vegetable oil. You could also substitute melted unsalted butter, too.
    • Strawberries—fresh or frozen! You’ll need about a cup of these to make the strawberry puree.
    • Cream cheese—it adds a lovely tang to the frosting and makes it to where it’s not too sweet!

    How to make Small Batch Strawberry Cupcakes

    Preheat the oven, and place your cupcake liners in a cupcake tin. Since this recipe only makes six cupcakes, you’ll only need six.

    In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and granulated sugar. We want them to be combined and happy before we add in more ingredients.

    Add the eggs, vanilla extract and strawberry puree to the bowl. Whisk until all the wet ingredients are combined.

    In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk ’em together so that they are evenly dispersed throughout the batter.

    Pour the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined.

    Measure 3 tablespoons of the batter into each cupcake liner. I like to use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop so they’re all even, but you could easily do this with a tablespoon measure or even eyeball it. You do you.

    Bake the cupcakes. Keep an eye on these because if they overbake, they will become tough.

    Allow the cupcakes 30 minutes to cool before frosting.

    How to make Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

    While the cupcakes bake, get out another bowl.

    In the bowl, add the cream cheese and strawberry puree. Use a hand mixer to beat these ingredients together until smooth. They’ll serve as the base for your frosting, and I like to do this to ensure that there aren’t any cream cheese lumps.

    Sprinkle in the powdered sugar. If you want, run it through a fine mesh strainer before adding to the frosting so there are no lumps.

    Use the hand mixer to incorporate the powdered sugar into the frosting.

    Chill in the refrigerator until it’s time to frost the cupcakes.

    Transfer to a piping bag or dollop the frosting on top of the strawberry cupcakes. Garnish with a halved strawberry for extra fanciness, and enjoy immediately!

    When the icing is smooth, chill in the refrigerator until icing the cupcakes. You can transfer the icing to a piping bag, or you can simply dollop it onto the cupcakes.

    Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting is swirled on top of a Strawberry Cupcake on a wire cooling rack

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use frozen strawberries to make the strawberry puree?

    Yes! Use the strawberries you have on hand. If you happen to have frozen whole strawberries, let them defrost before blending so your puree isn’t half-frozen.

    Can I double this recipe since it only makes six fresh strawberry cupcakes?

    Technically, you can, but I don’t advise it. Every time I’ve doubled the recipe, I’ve run into issues.

    If you want to make 12 cupcakes, I suggest making a batch of these… then making a second batch. :/

    Overhead of a white platter holding six decorated Strawberry Cupcakes

    Quick tips and tricks for the best Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

    • These fresh strawberry cupcakes are perfect for a small, family party! We made these beauties for my younger one’s birthday, and we’ve baked them several times for our wedding anniversary, too.
    • Substitution alert: If you don’t have coconut oil on hand, you can use another unflavored (or lightly flavored) oil like canola or vegetable oil. You can also use unsalted butter.
    • Pro tip: The strawberry puree can be made with fresh or frozen strawberries. Just make sure they’re defrosted so you don’t have frozen puree!

    I’m so pleased with this here recipe, and I’m even happier to share it with y’all today on our anniversary. It’s only fitting.

    We’ll be celebrating in style with these cupcakes that tastes like our wedding cake. Happy anniversary, Winston!

    A white platter of decorated Strawberry Cupcakes

    Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

    Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
    These Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting are perfect for any type of small celebration. Made with fresh strawberry puree, these cupcakes exude strawberry flavor from the cake to the decadent strawberry cream cheese icing they are topped with!
    5 from 3 votes
    Servings 6 cupcakes
    Calories 308 kcal
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 14 minutes
    Cooling Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 54 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    Strawberry Cupcakes

    • ¼ cup coconut oil melted and cooled slightly
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 3 tablespoons strawberry puree
    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/8 teaspoon salt

    Strawberry Cream Cheese Icing

    • 2 oz. cream cheese softened
    • 2 tablespoons strawberry puree
    • 1 cup powdered sugar

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Instructions
     

    Make the Cupcakes

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place six cupcake liners in a cupcake pan. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and granulated sugar.
    • Add the eggs, vanilla extract and strawberry puree. Whisk until all the wet ingredients are combined.
    • In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt and whisk.
    • Pour the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, and stir until just combined.
    • Measure 3 tablespoons of the batter into each cupcake liner.
    • Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. (Keep an eye on these because if they overbake, they will become tough.)
    • Allow 30 minutes to cool before icing.

    Make the Frosting

    • While the cupcakes are baking, beat the cream cheese and strawberry puree together in a large bowl with a hand mixer.
    • When the strawberry cream cheese is mixed, add the powered sugar. Use the hand mixer to incorporate the powdered sugar into the icing.
    • When the icing is smooth, chill in the refrigerator until icing the cupcakes. You can transfer the icing to a piping bag, or you can simply dollop it onto the cupcakes.

    Then ice the cupcakes and enjoy!

      Notes

      Recipe adapted One Bowl Vanilla Cupcakes for Two from How Sweet It Is.
      Substitutions:
      • If you don’t have coconut oil on hand, you can use another unflavored (or lightly flavored) oil like canola or vegetable oil. You can also use unsalted butter.
      • The strawberry puree can be made with fresh or frozen strawberries. Simply throw a handful of strawberries (that have the stems removed) into a blender or food processor.

      Nutrition

      Serving: 1iced cupcakeCalories: 308kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 3gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 113mgFiber: 2gSugar: 34g
      Keyword dairy free dessert, dairy free recipe, strawberry
      Course Desserts & Sweet Treats
      Cuisine American
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

      Have you ever tried to make cupcakes with fruit puree?

      How do you celebrate your anniversary?

      A strawberry cupcake on a stand next to other strawberry cupcakes on a bigger stand on a gold sparkly tray
      Overhead of a strawberry cupcakes with strawberry cream cheese frosting on a white cake stand
      Close up of strawberry cupcakes on a cake stand sitting on a golden tray
      Cupcake sitting on white stand with lit number 5 birthday candle on top
      A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

      About the Author:

      Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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      4 Comments

      1. Happy, happy anniversary to two of my absolute favoritest people. May there be many more beer showers and Mexican food dinners to come. Love y’all!

        Also…strawberry cupcakes. Mmmmmm…

      2. Congrats on 5 years! Strawberry cake is basically my fav (or cherry chip!) so I’m excited to see a recipe with just straight up real strawberries. It’s entirely possible that when you posted a picture of these on instagram, I thought it was your 5 yr anniversary with your dog lol — I’m a little sleep deprived, so I’m going to hope I didn’t leave any puppy-related comments lol

      3. Happy Anniversary! These cupcakes look like the perfect way to celebrate!
        My boyfriend and I have just become engaged and I can’t wait to see what traditions we find to celebrate our eventual wedding anniversary. At the moment we celebrate our ‘dating anniversary’ by seeing a movie and eating dinner. Nothing too fancy, but there are many years ahead for that 😉

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