Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes Recipe

Dreamy Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes Recipe for Sweet Bakers

Sweet strawberry shortcake cupcakes blend nostalgia with modern dessert creativity.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen dance through every delicate bite.

Soft, fluffy layers promise a delightful texture adventure for you.

Delicate strawberry essence weaves magic into each tender crumb.

Fresh berries add vibrant bursts of natural sweetness to these miniature treats.

Whipped cream crowns these little delights with cloud-like elegance.

Summer feels closer with each delectable morsel you’ll savor.

Bake these cupcakes and watch smiles bloom around the table.

Shortcake Cupcakes That Layer Sweet Berries and Cream Perfectly

  • Quick and Easy Baking Bliss: Whip up delightful strawberry shortcake cupcakes with minimal kitchen skills required, perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers.
  • Family-Friendly Dessert Delight: Create a crowd-pleasing treat that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for birthdays, gatherings, or weekend sweet cravings.
  • Seasonal Strawberry Celebration: Showcase summer's freshest strawberries in a versatile dessert that transforms simple ingredients into an Instagram-worthy, mouth-watering cupcake experience.
  • Customize with Creativity: Personalize the recipe by experimenting with frosting consistency, adding fresh strawberry toppings, or adjusting decoration styles to match any occasion or personal preference.

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes: Ingredient Breakdown

Cake Ingredients:
  • Flour, Cornstarch: Delicate base for soft and tender cupcakes, with cornstarch helping create a lighter texture.
  • Baking Powder, Salt: Essential leavening agents that help cupcakes rise and enhance overall flavor.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Sugar, Eggs: Classic combination providing sweetness and structure to the cupcake.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor enhancing the overall taste profile.
  • Melted Butter, Vegetable Oil: Moisture providers ensuring rich and tender cupcake texture.
  • Milk: Helps create smooth batter and adds tenderness to the cupcakes.
Frosting Ingredients:
  • Softened Butter: Creamy base for buttercream, creating smooth and rich texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps stabilize the frosting.
  • Strawberry Puree: Delivers natural fruity flavor and beautiful pink color to the frosting.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity of the buttercream.
Garnish:
  • Fresh Strawberries: Beautiful and delicious topping adding visual appeal and fresh fruity taste.

Cupcake Instructions for Strawberry Shortcake Fans

Cupcake Instructions for Strawberry Shortcake Fans

Step 1: Warm up the Oven

Crank the oven to a cozy 350°F.

Grab your muffin tin and line it with cute cupcake papers.

Sift together your dry ingredients in a bowl:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Set this magical mixture aside.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk sugar and eggs until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud.

Splash in:
  • Vanilla extract
  • Melted butter
  • Vegetable oil

Whisk everything until silky smooth.

Step 3: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Alternate with milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients.

Mix just until everything comes together – no overmixing!

Step 4: Fill the Cupcake Liners

Carefully spoon the batter into each liner, filling about two-thirds full.

This gives your cupcakes room to rise and become wonderfully puffy.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the tin into the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Let cupcakes rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 6: Whip up Strawberry Buttercream

Beat softened butter until creamy and dreamy.

Slowly add powdered sugar, one cup at a time.

Mix thoroughly after each addition.

Step 7: Finish the Frosting

Blend in strawberry puree and vanilla extract.

Whip until the frosting becomes smooth and fluffy.

Adjust consistency with more powdered sugar if needed.

Step 8: Decorate with Flair

Once cupcakes are completely cool, go wild with frosting!

Pipe or spread the strawberry buttercream generously.

Crown each cupcake with a fresh strawberry or a lovely strawberry slice for that final touch of magic.

Shortcake Cupcake Tips That Scream Summer

  • Always sift dry ingredients to eliminate lumps and ensure a lighter, more tender cupcake texture.
  • Bring eggs and milk to room temperature before mixing to help ingredients blend more evenly and create a smoother batter.
  • Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stopping just when combined to prevent tough, dense cupcakes.
  • Use fresh, ripe strawberries and strain the puree to remove seeds for a silky-smooth buttercream frosting.
  • Refrigerate cupcakes briefly before frosting to help the buttercream set and create cleaner, more defined decorations.

Storing Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes for Later

  • Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Place a paper towel on top to absorb excess moisture and prevent the frosting from sticking.
  • Before serving, let cupcakes sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften the buttercream and restore their delightful texture.
  • Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and frost before serving.
  • Keep strawberry buttercream frosted cupcakes in a single layer to prevent smudging and maintain their beautiful decorative appearance.

What to Pair with Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

  • Pair Perfectly with Sweet Sips: Serve these delightful strawberry shortcake cupcakes with a chilled glass of moscato wine, which complements the dessert's fruity sweetness and light texture.
  • Beverage Harmony: Match the cupcakes with a classic strawberry milkshake or a cold brew coffee to enhance the rich, creamy frosting and provide a refreshing contrast.
  • Complementary Flavor Boost: Accompany the cupcakes with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to amplify the dessert's creamy, fruity profile and add an extra layer of indulgence.
  • Textural Contrast Companion: Serve alongside crisp almond biscotti or shortbread cookies to introduce a crunchy element that balances the soft, tender cupcake texture.

Shortcake Cupcakes with Strawberry Tweaks

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Vegan Version: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and replace dairy milk with almond or oat milk for a completely plant-based cupcake experience.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Swap regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use sugar-free strawberry puree to create a diabetic-friendly dessert option.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter, select a non-dairy milk alternative, and create the frosting with dairy-free margarine and powdered sugar for those with lactose intolerance.

FAQs

  • What makes the texture of these cupcakes so special?

The combination of flour and cornstarch creates an incredibly soft, tender crumb that gives these cupcakes a light and delicate texture unlike traditional dense cupcake recipes.

  • How do I know the cupcake batter is mixed correctly?

The batter should look smooth and fully incorporated, with no visible dry flour streaks. Mix just until ingredients are combined to prevent overmixing, which can make cupcakes tough.

  • Can I use frozen strawberries for the buttercream?

Fresh strawberries work best for buttercream to achieve the brightest flavor and most vibrant color. If using frozen, thaw completely and drain excess liquid to prevent a watery frosting.

  • Why do I need to sift the dry ingredients?

Sifting helps break up any flour clumps, ensures even distribution of baking powder, and creates a smoother, more consistent cupcake batter that rises more evenly during baking.

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Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes Recipe

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes Recipe


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4.7 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sweet strawberry shortcake cupcakes blend classic dessert nostalgia with modern bakery charm. Delicate cake layers, creamy frosting, and fresh strawberry garnish create an irresistible treat you’ll savor with pure delight.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup fresh strawberry puree

Dry and Binding Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Garnish:

  • Fresh strawberries or strawberry slices for decoration

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and positioning a liner-equipped muffin tin for the cupcake batter.
  2. Create a delicate dry ingredient mixture by sifting flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt together, setting the blend aside for later incorporation.
  3. Whip sugar and eggs into a voluminous, airy texture, transforming the mixture into a smooth foundation by introducing vanilla extract, melted butter, and vegetable oil.
  4. Integrate dry ingredients with wet components through a careful alternating process, incorporating milk gradually to achieve a harmonious batter consistency.
  5. Distribute the batter evenly across cupcake liners, filling each compartment approximately two-thirds full to allow proper rising during baking.
  6. Position the muffin tin in the preheated oven, allowing cupcakes to bake for 18-20 minutes until a inserted toothpick emerges clean and pristine.
  7. Remove cupcakes from the oven, letting them rest in the tin for five minutes before transferring to a cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.
  8. Craft the strawberry buttercream by whipping softened butter into a creamy consistency, systematically introducing powdered sugar and blending thoroughly.
  9. Enhance the frosting with strawberry puree and vanilla extract, adjusting sugar quantities to achieve ideal spreading or piping texture.
  10. Decorate the fully cooled cupcakes by generously applying the strawberry buttercream, garnishing each with a fresh strawberry or elegant strawberry slice for visual appeal.

Notes

  • Swap out all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive bakers to make these cupcakes accessible.
  • Reduce sugar content by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a lower-calorie, diabetic-friendly version of the dessert.
  • Incorporate finely chopped fresh strawberries directly into the cupcake batter for an extra burst of fruit flavor and natural sweetness.
  • Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and milk to ensure smoother batter and more consistent cupcake texture during mixing and baking.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 266
  • Sugar: 28 g
  • Sodium: 118 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 47 mg
Angelina Wiles

Angelina Wiles

Content Editor & Culinary Enthusiast

Expertise

Food Writing and Editing, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Baking and Pastry Arts, Sustainable Cooking Practices​

Education

Portland Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on sustainable cooking practices, vegetarian cuisine, and food writing.​

​Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized training in artisanal baking, pastry techniques, and dessert presentation.


Angelina’s love for cooking started with handwritten family recipes and weekend trips to farmers’ markets around Portland. She followed her passion with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Portland Community College, then perfected her sweet side with a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts at Oregon Culinary Institute.
Angelina believes recipes should feel like a conversation, not a science project. She’s all about helping readers trust themselves in the kitchen with simple steps, fresh ideas, and easy twists on classic meals.
When she’s not editing recipes, she’s baking bread, sipping coffee, or getting inspired by the changing seasons.

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