The Story:
It does happen!
Okay, so I have been sitting here in the library in the “flirt” zone. And the two people at my table started up a casual conversation, chit chatted for 15 minutes, got each other’s numbers and made plans to go on a date next week! What!?!? I didn’t think it actually happened. I thought it was all just a myth. I thought the blinking sign above my head saying “All Men: Stay Away” doomed everyone within a 50 foot radius of me.
Guess not.
Here’s to the start of the season of love.

Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 Box chocolate or devil's food cake mix
- 1/2 C. melted butter cooled (or oil)
- 3 eggs
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3/4 C. milk
- 1/2 C. sour cream
Strawberry Buttercream:
- 3/4 C. butter softened
- 4 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2-4 Tbsp. strawberry puree see note
- 3-4 C. powdered sugar as needed
Melted Chocolate and Strawberries to decorate
Instructions
-
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line pans with cupcake liners.
-
2. Sift cake mix into a small bowl and set aside.
-
3. Combine all other cake ingredients in a large bowl and mix until smooth.
-
4. Stir in cake mix.
-
5. FIll cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake for 17-22 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
-
6. Let cool.
-
7. Buttercream: Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla extract and add 2 Tbsp. strawberry puree. Slowly add powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency. If it becomes too thick, add more strawberry puree.
-
8. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and top with melted chocolate and strawberries.
Recipe Notes
Strawberry puree means strawberries that that been put in a blender and mixed until it reaches a soup consistency.
You have that sign, too? I thought I was getting one that said “All Creepers Stay Away,” but I think the one I got was “All Nice Guys Stay Away, Creepers: Open For Business.”
There’s a reason I don’t date, whether my mother believes me or not.
Great cake for Valentine’s Day! 🙂
Just curious what does the sour cream/plain yogurt does in the recipe? Because I see that you almost use it in very recipe.
It gives the cake a TON more moisture and gives it more body. When I feed my cake mix cupcakes to people…they have NO CLUE they were made from cake mix if I use sour cream. It really transforms the cake.
I know that the caupcakes that I make from your recipes that I add it are so moist. My friends rave about them and ask how I get them like that!!!
Just curious as to what a good filling would be for this cupcake? Thanks!
A cream cheese filling is always a good fit! But you could also fold in some strawberry jam to it if you want it to be pink/red
these look great! do you think instead of strawberry puree i could use either melted or just as-is strawberry jam/preserves?
Yes you can! If you want to make it a little stronger, you can also add 1 or 2 tsp of strawberry jello powder.
I just wanted to thank you for taking the time and making this wonderful website. I have made many of your recipes and my family and I have loved them all:)
Thank you so much Kristy! Happy Baking!
Hi! How do you keep you cupcake liners looking so pretty and fresh?! Mine always turn translucent and never look that good. Do you use a special kind?
I use grease proof liners, they keep their color and decorations perfectly. You can buy them online if you google it and at some specialty stores.
Mmmmmm!!!! These look sooooo good!! I’m trying them out today and I think they will turn out great!!! I’ve used most of your recipes and they have all turned out Awesome!!!Thanks!! Happy valentines day!!!
they look so good!!!! i wish i could just take them out of my computer screen just to eat them!
i was wondering if you could do a recipe of how to make macarons…..i know its not really a cupcake but they look really good. 🙂
I do things other than cupcakes, when I get some time out of my crazy schedule I’ll see what I can do in the macaroon category 🙂
Hello!
These look yummy! Do you think it would work to add a can of strawberry pie filling to the cake batter before you bake them? 🙂
I would fold in strawberry jam or preserves! Pie filling has a lot of extra stuff it in that cane effect the texture sometimes depending on the brand
Hi! I was just wondering you can make the buttercream frosting more thicker and fluffy. I used this recipe and it came out thick and droopy! I think I did something wrong! But my cupcakes came out PERFECT! So moist and super delicious!! Thank you!
Make sure you really beat your butter before. If brings air into the butter (it will change from yellow-ish to white-ish) and will give you a fluffier topping
Thank you so much! I will try it tonight!
do these need to stay refrigerated because of the strawberries?
they are okay for about 24 hours
These might possibly be the best things I’ve ever had in my mouth. Dangerously delicious.
What would be the substions for this if I wanted to make it with gluten free cake mix and turn it into a cake?
Juts use the cake mix as normal and depending on the thickness of your cake you’ll adjust the baking time. Unless it’s a sheet cake, it will probably take a little more time to bake. MUCH longer if you’re making a bundt cake!
Do you recommend switching out the water for the milk and do you still add the sour cream? Hope these aren’t silly questions never used gluten free mix and I’m a little nervous : /
Use milk and sour cream. Make sure they are gluten free productions obviously, but yes it will help with the moisture of the cake.
Can I defrost strawberries and blend for the frosting? I’m afraid it might be too watery if I use frozen strawberries.
It’s true, the frozen berries don’t have as much flavor because they’re more watery. But you can add a little strawberry gelatin (jello powder) if you want an extra punch of flavor and color.
I was looking for a good moist flufy cupcakes to make for my doaughter’s birthday. I found your website and decided to made those cupcakes to try them out. I fall in love with them. Thaaaaank you thaaaank you thaaaank you for sharing the recipe with us. You are awesome!
Thank you Zaina! You are too sweet!
About how many cupcakes does this make? I’m eager to try this recipe but I need to know how much it makes. Thank you!
20-24 depending on how large you make them!