Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes feature a moist strawberry-flavored cake topped with creamy frosting and a crunchy strawberry crumble, perfect for any celebration or dessert craving.
Dive into the world of Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes! Here every bite brings you a burst of fresh strawberry flavor, paired with a velvety smooth cream cheese frosting and a signature golden crunch. It’s irresistible!
These cupcakes take the core of a classic favorite and level it up into a cupcake form that’s perfect for any occasion – be it a sunny Valentine’s Day treat, a charming addition to a baby shower, or just because!
These Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes offer a yummy combination of flavors and textures that are sure to please any crowd. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just indulging in a sweet treat, these cupcakes are a testament to the power of combining simple, quality ingredients into something extraordinary.
So, preheat your oven, and let’s create cupcakes that’ll turn any day into a celebration of taste!
Common Questions About Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes
How Do I Make Sure My Cupcakes Are Moist?
The secret to moist vanilla cupcakes in this recipe lies in using buttermilk and vegetable oil in your batter. These ingredients, along with the perfect bake time, ensure your cupcakes remain moist and tender every single time.
Can I Make These Cupcakes Without a Food Processor?
Absolutely! If you don’t have a food processor to crush your Golden Oreos for the strawberry crunch topping, simply place them in a ziplock bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into the perfect crumble.
Make sure you get the kids involved. They love that part!
What Makes the Strawberry Crunch Topping So Special?
The strawberry crunch topping, a blend of crushed Golden Oreo cookies and strawberry jello powder mixed with melted butter is what sets these cupcakes apart.
It creates a crunchy texture and adds an extra layer of strawberry flavor, mimicking the classic ice cream bar’s outer coating.
Storage
I always like to leave a platter of these out on the counter. They get devoured faster that way!
Refrigerator
Store these fluffy strawberry cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. Remember, bring them to room temperature for the best flavor before serving.
Freezer
For longer storage, place unfrosted cupcakes in a ziplock bag and freeze. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw and frost before you’re ready to enjoy.
Tips
I’ve got this recipe broken down into very simple steps. Everything should go smoothly and easily!
- Ingredients like eggs and butter should be at room temperature to ensure your batter mixes well for the best results.
- Don’t overfill your cupcake liners – filling them about ¾ way ensures they rise perfectly without spilling over.
- Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a cupcake; it should come out clean.
- Let the strawberry crunch topping cool on a baking sheet for that perfect crunchy texture before sprinkling it over your frosted cupcakes.
Ingredients
You really can’t go wrong with a list of ingredients like this one. The hardest part is keeping your fingers out of the cupcake batter!
- All-purpose flour and cake flour
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla pudding mix
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Buttermilk
- Vegetable oil
- Large egg
- Vanilla extract
- Crushed freeze-dried strawberries
- Cream cheese and unsalted butter for the frosting
- Confectioner’s sugar
- Strawberry extract
- Milk
- Golden Oreos and strawberry jello powder for the crunchy topping
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
How to Make Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes
Just follow this simple list of steps and you’re on your way to some of the best cupcakes ever. They’re a hit at any party!
Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
- Combine the flour, cake flour, sugar, vanilla pudding mix, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk together until combined.
- Beat in the buttermilk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract until a thick batter is formed.
- Fold in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
- Use a large 1 ½ inch scooper to fill the cupcake liners with the prepared batter, filling each about ¾ way full.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Frosting
- Combine the cream cheese and softened butter in the mixer bowl, blending until smooth.
- Add in the confectioner’s sugar, vanilla, and strawberry extract. Blend again until smooth and creamy.
- Then add in the milk. Whip for about a minute, until the frosting becomes fluffy.
Topping
- After the cupcakes have finished baking and the oven is still hot, combine the crushed golden Oreos and strawberry jello mix in a small bowl.
- Add in the melted butter and mix until thoroughly coated with melted butter.
- Transfer this mixture to a small baking sheet, spread it out, and bake for 8 minutes, stirring gently halfway through the baking time.
Decorate
- Once the cupcakes are done, let them cool completely before frosting.
- Also, let the strawberry crunch topping cool completely as well.
- Transfer the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large metal star tip.
- After the cupcakes have cooled, pipe a large swirl of frosting from the outside to the center of each cupcake.
- Top them all with the strawberry crunch topping.
- Finish by placing a halved strawberry in the center of each cupcake.
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need
That cream cheese frosting is seriously hard to beat. Making it homemade is the best thing you could possibly do for these cupcakes.
- A cupcake pan and cupcake liners to shape your cupcakes
- A hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment for smooth batter
- A piping bag fitted with a star tip for beautiful frosting swirls
- A baking sheet to make the strawberry crunch topping
What to Serve With Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes
These delicious strawberry crunch cupcakes are a standout dessert on their own. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk to complement their sweetness.
They’re also the perfect follow-up to a light meal, making every bite a celebration of flavors.
Why You Should Make Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes
The little delights will level up any gathering with family and friends. They’re a pop of color and flavor that you won’t soon forget!
- Irresistibly Delicious: Combining moist cake, creamy frosting, and crunchy topping for a multi-textured treat.
- Visually Stunning: Their vibrant color and beautiful presentation make them a hit at any event.
- Nostalgic Flavors: Reminiscent of childhood ice cream truck favorites, but in a grown-up, gourmet form.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable with different add-ins and variations to suit any taste.
Variations and Add-Ins for Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes
Feel free to try out different flavors! Let me know in the comments how it goes for you. I always love hearing about it!
- Add Different Berries: Mix in other freeze-dried berries into the batter for a berry blast.
- Experiment with Frosting: Swap cream cheese frosting for vanilla buttercream or whipped cream for a lighter option.
- Chocolate Twist: Fold mini chocolate chips into the batter for chocolate lovers.
- Cookie Variety: Try using vanilla sandwich cookies for the crunch topping for a different twist.
If you love this easy cupcake recipe, you’re going to love these cupcake recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Strawberry Crunch Recipes
CONNECT WITH TASTE OF THE FRONTIER!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!
Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cake flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla pudding mix
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries crushed
Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup butter – unsalted – room-temperature
- 3 cups confectioner’s sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon strawberry extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
Strawberry Crunch Topping
- 15 Golden Oreos crushed
- 2 ounces strawberry jello mix
- 3 tablespoons butter melted – unsalted
Strawberries, sliced in half
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
- Combine the flour, cake flour, sugar, vanilla pudding mix, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk together until combined.
- Beat in the buttermilk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract until a thick batter is formed.
- Fold in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
- Use a large 1 ½ inch scooper to fill the cupcake liners with the prepared batter, filling each about ¾ way full.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Frosting
- Combine the cream cheese and softened butter in the mixer bowl, blending until smooth.
- Add in the confectioner’s sugar, vanilla, and strawberry extract. Blend again until smooth and creamy.
- Then add in the milk. Whip for about a minute, until the frosting becomes fluffy.
Topping
- After the cupcakes have finished baking and the oven is still hot, combine the crushed golden Oreos and strawberry jello mix in a small bowl.
- Add in the melted butter and mix until thoroughly coated with melted butter.
- Transfer this mixture to a small baking sheet, spread it out, and bake for 8 minutes, stirring gently halfway through the baking time.
Decorate
- Once the cupcakes are done, let them cool completely before frosting.
- Also, let the strawberry crunch topping cool completely as well.
- Transfer the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large metal star tip.
- After the cupcakes have cooled, pipe a large swirl of frosting from the outside to the center of each cupcake.
- Top them all with the strawberry crunch topping.
- Finish by placing a halved strawberry in the center of each cupcake.
Notes
Equipment
- cupcake pan
- cupcake liners
- 1 ½ inch scooper
- Hand mixer
- piping bag
- Large Star Shaped Metal Piping Tip
- Baking Sheet
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Taste of the Frontier cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Share Your Thoughts