Heavenly Dark Chocolate and Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe for Bliss

Decadent dark chocolate and strawberry cupcakes dance with irresistible flavor, blending rich cocoa’s deep intensity with strawberry’s bright sweetness.

Sweet berries nestled within the dark chocolate cupcake batter create a stunning contrast of colors and tastes.

Each bite promises a delightful surprise that melts on your tongue.

The combination brings elegant simplicity to classic dessert fare.

Chocolate lovers will swoon over this sophisticated treat that balances richness with fruity freshness.

The recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience.

Dive into these cupcakes and let your taste buds celebrate a perfect harmony of flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 11

Everything You Need For Dark Chocolate And Strawberry Cupcakes

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the essential structure and tender crumb for the cupcakes, choose a fresh, high-quality brand for best results.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich, deep chocolate flavor, opt for Dutch-processed cocoa for an intense dark chocolate experience.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a soft texture, use pure cane sugar for a cleaner taste.
• Baking Soda: Ensures perfect rise and lightness, always check freshness for optimal leavening.

• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and tanginess, creates tender crumb and helps activate baking soda.
• Hot Coffee: Intensifies chocolate flavor and adds depth, use freshly brewed coffee for best results.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps cupcakes incredibly moist, choose a neutral-flavored oil like canola.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure, use room temperature egg for smoother mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, select pure vanilla for richer taste.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates creamy base, ensure butter is softened but not melted.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and smooth consistency, sift to prevent lumps.
• Strawberry Puree: Delivers fresh fruity flavor, use ripe, in-season strawberries for best taste.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out strawberry flavor, adds subtle depth to buttercream.
• Food Coloring (Optional): Creates appealing pink hue, add drops gradually for perfect shade.

Must-Have Tools For Dark Chocolate And Strawberry Cupcakes

• Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and beating buttercream to smooth, fluffy perfection.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Perfect for combining dry and wet ingredients with plenty of mixing space.
• Muffin Tin: Standard 12-cup tin for baking uniform cupcakes.
• Cupcake Liners: Helps with easy removal and keeps cupcakes looking neat.
• Whisk: Great for blending ingredients smoothly without lumps.
• Sifter: Crucial for ensuring dry ingredients are lump-free and well-mixed.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cupcakes to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Piping Bag (optional): Helps create professional-looking frosted cupcakes.
• Toothpick: Handy for checking cupcake doneness.

How To Bake Dark Chocolate And Strawberry Cupcakes

• Chocolate Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen appliance and set a cozy stage for delightful cupcake magic. Create a welcoming environment with perfectly lined muffin spaces.

• Dry Ingredient Harmony

Blend powdery elements into a soft cloud of chocolatey potential. Sift through each component with gentle care, creating a smooth mixture that promises delicious results.

• Liquid Magic

Combine wet ingredients in a rhythmic dance, whisking together creamy and rich elements that will transform your dry mix into a silky batter. The hot coffee adds a mysterious depth to the chocolate’s character.

• Batter Transformation

Pour the liquid into dry ingredients, watching them unite into a luxurious chocolate landscape. Embrace the thin consistency as a sign of future cupcake perfection.

• Baking Moment

Allow cupcakes to bake until they rise with golden edges and a tender heart. Listen for the whispers of chocolate telling you they’re ready – usually around 18 minutes.

• Buttercream Dream

Whip butter into a cloud-like consistency, then gradually introduce powdered sweetness. Fold in strawberry essence, creating a blush-colored cream that dances between fruity and rich.

• Cupcake Couture

Crown each cupcake with swirls of strawberry buttercream. Add a final flourish with fresh strawberries or chocolate shavings, transforming simple desserts into edible art.

Smart Tips For Dark Chocolate And Strawberry Cupcakes

• Baking Brilliance: Smart Tips for Irresistible Cupcakes
• Moisture Magic: Use buttermilk and hot coffee to create an incredibly rich, tender chocolate cupcake that stays moist for days. Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, ensuring a perfect texture.
• Strawberry Swirl Strategy: Freeze fresh strawberry puree in ice cube trays for consistent buttercream flavor. Strain puree to remove seeds for a silky smooth frosting that bursts with natural berry sweetness.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum. Select high-quality gluten-free cocoa powder to maintain the deep chocolate flavor without compromising texture.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar. Use coconut oil instead of butter in the frosting and choose dairy-free dark chocolate for garnishing. These swaps create a delectable vegan version without sacrificing richness.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Cupcakes can be baked up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container. Frosting keeps well in the refrigerator for a week – simply re-whip before using for maximum fluffiness.

Ways To Serve Dark Chocolate And Strawberry Cupcakes

• Sweet Strawberry Centerpiece: Top each cupcake with a perfectly halved fresh strawberry for a stunning visual presentation that highlights the fruit's vibrant color.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Sprinkle dark chocolate curls or mini chocolate chips around the strawberry buttercream to add a decadent texture and intense chocolate flavor.
• Picture-Perfect Plating: Arrange cupcakes on a white ceramic plate with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a few scattered whole strawberries to create an elegant dessert display that looks professionally crafted.
• Gourmet Chocolate Drizzle: Create delicate chocolate lines across the buttercream using melted dark chocolate, giving the cupcakes a sophisticated and artisan bakery-style finish.

Store Dark Chocolate And Strawberry Cupcakes Right

• Smart Storage Strategies: Keep cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring freshness and soft texture.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: When storing strawberry buttercream cupcakes, place them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow them to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore ideal taste and consistency.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for maximum 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add buttercream just before serving to maintain optimal quality.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cupcake batter and buttercream separately up to 2 days in advance. Store batter in a sealed container in the refrigerator and buttercream in an airtight container, keeping each component fresh and ready for quick assembly.

Sinful Chocolate And Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Dark chocolate and strawberry cupcakes combine rich cocoa with sweet berry notes for an irresistible dessert. Bakers can craft these elegant treats through simple techniques and quality ingredients for a memorable culinary experience.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (50 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) buttermilk
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) hot coffee
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) vegetable oil
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (225 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (360 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) fresh strawberry puree
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• Pink gel food coloring (optional)
• Fresh strawberries (optional)
• Dark chocolate shavings or curls (optional)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt into a large mixing bowl, ensuring complete integration.
3. Liquid Component Blending: Whisk buttermilk, hot coffee, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until uniformly mixed.
4. Batter Creation: Merge wet and dry ingredients, stirring gently until achieving a smooth, slightly fluid consistency without overmixing.
5. Baking Process: Distribute batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling two-thirds full, then bake for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Cooling Stage: Rest cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
7. Buttercream Crafting: Cream butter using an electric mixer, gradually adding powdered sugar while mixing to create a silky smooth texture.
8. Flavor Infusion: Incorporate strawberry puree, vanilla extract, and salt into buttercream, adjusting color with food coloring if desired.
9. Final Decoration: Once cupcakes are thoroughly cooled, pipe or spread strawberry buttercream across the surface, garnishing with fresh strawberry slices, dark chocolate shavings, or an elegant chocolate drizzle.

Notes

• Optimize Oven Temperature: Ensure precise 350F (175C) by using an oven thermometer to prevent uneven baking or dry cupcakes.
• Control Liquid Ratio: Maintain a slightly thin batter consistency by slowly incorporating wet ingredients, preventing dense or heavy texture.
• Master Buttercream Technique: Beat butter until light and fluffy, then add powdered sugar gradually to avoid lumpy or grainy frosting.
• Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with alternative fruit purees like raspberry or swap dark chocolate for milk chocolate to personalize the recipe.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg