Light and fluffy strawberry filled vanilla cupcakes are topped with vanilla buttercream and fresh strawberries – they make the perfect celebratory treat!
So I dug into my photo archives and found these Strawberry Filled Vanilla Cupcakes that I made last summer for my afternoon tea party bash and it seemed like the perfect time to place them in the spotlight.
They start off with my favorite cupcake base infused with vanilla bean and vanilla exact. The cupcakes bake up light, fluffy and make the perfect foundation for your favorite frosting and fillings.
If you’ve been feeling a little down from those winter blues, these cheery cupcakes are a great way to bring some indoor sunshine your way 🙂
Make them for a special dessert for Valentine’s Day or share them with friends and family at those upcoming birthday parties, bridal parties, baby showers and more.
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk room temperature
- 4 large egg whites room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
- seeds scraped from one vanilla bean
- 1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups unsalted butter softened
- 4-5 cups sifted powdered sugar
- 1 vanilla bean scraped
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4-5 Tablespoons heavy cream
- pinch salt
- 3/4 cup diced strawberries
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pan with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk and egg whites.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla bean seeds at medium speed for 3 minutes, or until the butter and sugar are very light. Add in the vanilla extract and one-third of the flour mixture, still beating on medium speed. Beat in half of the milk-egg mixture, then beat in half of the remaining dry ingredients until well incorporated. Add the rest of the milk and eggs, beating until the batter fully incorporated and smooth, then add the last of the dry ingredients.
- Once ingredients are thoroughly incorporated, give the batter a good 2-minute beating to ensure that it is thoroughly mixed and well aerated. Using a large scoop (about 3 tablespoons), distribute the batter between 18 muffin wells, filling each well 2/3 full.
- Bake for 18-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centers come out clean. Cool on wire rack.
- Using your electric stand mixer or a hand mixer, whip butter for 7 minutes on medium speed until pale and creamy. Slowly add the powdered sugar and mix on low speed for 1 minute. Then add in scraped vanilla bean seeds, vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and beat for an additional 2 minutes on medium speed. Add more heavy cream to reach desired consistency and continue beating for an additional 3 minutes until the icing is very light, creamy and fluffy.
- Fill a pastry bag and use Wilton Tip 1M for rose swirls. Top center with fresh diced strawberries. Serve immediately.
Cupcakes slightly adapted from Dorie Greenspan's Perfect Party Cake
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
More Valentine’s Day treats:
Valentine’s Day Chocolate Lollipops – The Recipe Rebel
Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna – The Cookie Rookie
Cream Cheese Pound Cake with a Red Velvet Heart Center – Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Monica -
Hope you’re feeling better, Kelly! We have snow today – though not too much – and just seeing these strawberry cupcakes make my day a little brighter. We really do need to combat the winter blues (and grays) with bright foods and colors. I love seeing your cupcakes – they are always so pretty. These are lovely for V-Day!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice -
These cupcakes are so gorgeous, Kelly! I love that you filled the centers with strawberries. So delicious! These would definitely bring me out of my winter funk. And I have no doubt that these would be devoured in no time, especially since my husband loves cupcakes! 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy -
These are such beautiful looking cupcakes Kelly! You really can’t go wrong with the classic vanilla and strawberry combo.
Megan - The Emotional Baker -
The flu is no fun at all! Completely unlike these cupcakes! I love the addition of strawberries – perfect for Valentine’s!
Angie@Angie's Recipes -
They look so beautifully done, Kelly. A wonderful treat!