Valentines Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes (Print)
Rich chocolate cupcakes filled with strawberry buttercream and topped with chocolate ganache. A perfect Valentine's Day treat!
# Ingredients:
→ Chocolate Cupcakes
01 -
1 cup all-purpose flour (125g), spooned & leveled
02 -
1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder (42g)
03 -
1 teaspoon baking soda
04 -
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
05 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
06 -
1/3 cup vegetable oil (80ml)
07 -
1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
08 -
1 large egg, at room temperature
09 -
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
10 -
1/2 cup buttermilk (120ml), at room temperature
11 -
1/2 cup hot coffee or hot water (120ml)
→ Strawberry Buttercream Filling
12 -
1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries (12-13g)
13 -
1/2 cup unsalted butter (113g), softened
14 -
2 cups confectioners' sugar (240g), sifted
15 -
2 tablespoons heavy cream (30ml)
16 -
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
17 -
pinch of salt
→ Chocolate Ganache
18 -
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (170g), finely chopped
19 -
2/3 cup heavy cream (160ml)
# Directions:
01 -
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners and a second pan with 3 liners.
02 -
Whisk dry ingredients in one bowl. In another, combine oil, sugar, egg, vanilla, and buttermilk. Mix wet into dry ingredients, add hot coffee/water, and whisk until smooth.
03 -
Fill liners 2/3 full. Bake 20-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely and chill 20-30 minutes if needed.
04 -
Pour hot cream over chopped chocolate, let sit 2-3 minutes, then stir until smooth. Refrigerate 30 minutes to thicken.
05 -
Process freeze-dried strawberries into powder. Beat butter, then mix in sugar, strawberry powder, cream, vanilla, and salt until fluffy.
06 -
Cut centers from cupcakes, fill with strawberry buttercream, and replace top portions. Spread thick layer of ganache on top.
07 -
Optional: top with fresh strawberry slices or sprinkles. Serve immediately or store covered.
# Notes:
01 -
Hot coffee enhances chocolate flavor without making cupcakes taste like coffee
02 -
Only use freeze-dried strawberries for the filling, not fresh or frozen
03 -
Components can be made 1 day ahead and assembled day of serving