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Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe

BySarah
Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 25 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a cupcake recipe that’s bursting with fresh strawberry flavor and topped with a whimsically spooky twist, you’re in the right place. This Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe is hands down one of my favorite treats to bake when I want something playful, delicious, and just a little bit monstrous in all the best ways. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll want to whip them up over and over, whether it’s for a party, a special occasion, or just a weekend indulgence.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Fresh and Fruity: Using both fresh strawberries and strawberry preserves gives these cupcakes an authentic, juicy strawberry punch that feels homemade.
  • Perfect Balance of Texture: The soft, fluffy cupcake base paired with a creamy, buttery frosting creates that melt-in-your-mouth experience you want every time.
  • Playful Presentation: The green vanilla buttercream and monster-inspired strawberry garnish make these cupcakes unforgettable, especially for kids or themed parties.
  • Friendly to Beginners: Despite looking fancy, the recipe steps are straightforward and forgiving, making it great even if you’re just starting out with baking.
The image shows three cupcakes on a white plate with a white marbled textured surface underneath and around it. Each cupcake has a light pink cake base in a white paper cup, topped with a thick swirl of green frosting with a smooth but slightly ridged texture from the piping. On top of the frosting of each cupcake, there is a red strawberry that is sliced in half and hollowed in the center to look like a mouth with small white candy pieces resembling teeth inside and black filling as the inside of the mouth. Around the cupcakes on the plate, there are three more strawberry halves, each similarly decorated like a mouth with candy teeth inside. There are small dark crumbs or crushed cookies scattered around the cupcakes and strawberry halves on the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7 this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe has a purpose, from bringing out the bright strawberry flavor to ensuring a moist texture and vibrant appearance. Here’s a little breakdown to help you shop and prep confidently.

  • Strawberry Jam or Preserves: Adds concentrated sweet-tartness and enhances the strawberry essence instantly.
  • Fresh Strawberries: Gives fresh bursts of juiciness and texture inside the cupcakes—don’t skip these!
  • Flour: All-purpose works best for structure without weighing down the batter.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cupcakes rise with a tender crumb.
  • Sugar: Sweetens and helps tenderize the cupcakes for that perfect softness.
  • Unsalted Butter: Softened butter makes the cake rich and moist; be sure it’s not melted.
  • Egg Whites: Lighten the batter, giving a delicate crumb and support without heaviness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the strawberry flavor beautifully.
  • Pink Food Coloring: This is optional but fun — it intensifies the color so your cupcakes look bright and inviting.
  • Milk: Moisturizes the batter and keeps cupcakes tender.
  • Powdered Sugar: For a smooth, fluffy buttercream frosting that’s not too gritty.
  • Cream: Lightens the frosting for easy spreading and a silky texture.
  • Green Food Gel Dye: Gives the frosting that monster-green hue to make your cupcakes really pop.
  • Oreo Crumbs (Optional): Adds a fun, crunchy contrast and more spooky vibes on top.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

What’s great about this Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Over time, I’ve noticed that little tweaks here and there can totally elevate the final product or help it fit special diets and occasions.

  • Make it Vegan: I’ve tried swapping butter for coconut oil and using a flax egg substitute; just add a touch more vanilla to keep that sweet depth.
  • Extra Strawberry Pop: You can fold in chopped freeze-dried strawberries instead of fresh if you want a crunch surprise.
  • Less Sweet: If you prefer milder sweetness, reduce the sugar in the cupcakes by a couple of tablespoons and balance with a slightly less sugary frosting.
  • Spooky Decor: For Halloween, adding edible eyes or candy fangs on the frosting gives these cupcakes a Halloween monster makeover.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Strawberry Mix

The first thing I do is chop fresh strawberries and mix them well with the strawberry jam or preserves in a small bowl. This combo ensures the cake gets pockets of both fresh fruity bits and a smooth jammy sweetness. Keep this ready on the side — it’s what makes these ‘monster’ cupcakes so flavorful inside!

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening and salt so your cupcakes rise perfectly and have balanced flavor.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter with sugar until it’s smooth and fluffy. This step is key—it traps air to lighten your cupcakes, so don’t rush it! Once light and fluffy, gradually add in the egg whites, vanilla, and the pink food coloring until fully blended.

Step 4: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients

Add the dry ingredients alternately with milk, mixing on a low speed to keep the batter tender. Then fold in your strawberry and preserve mixture gently — you want those juicy chunks to stay intact without overmixing the batter.

Step 5: Bake the Cupcakes

Line your cupcake tray with liners and fill each about three-quarters full with batter. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 minutes. Check doneness by poking a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean. Let them cool completely before frosting, or else the buttercream will melt and slide off.

Step 6: Whip Up the Green Vanilla Buttercream

I use my mixer with the paddle attachment to beat the unsalted butter until it’s light and airy. Then I add the powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla gradually, blending on low before turning the speed up high for 2-3 minutes to get fluffy frosting. The green food gel dye transforms it into the perfect monster-green color. Add more powdered sugar if it needs to be stiffer for piping.

Step 7: Assemble and Decorate Your Monsters

Spread or pipe the green buttercream generously on each cupcake. For the monster effect, sprinkle crushed Oreo crumbs as “dirt” and top them with strawberries decorated or sliced to look like monster faces or claws. It’s a bit of craft and a lot of fun — trust me, kids and adults alike love the spooky vibe!

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Pro Tips for Making Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe

  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Butter and eggs blend more smoothly if they’re not cold, leading to lighter cupcakes and silky frosting.
  • Don’t Overmix: When adding dry ingredients, mix just until combined — overmixing creates dense cupcakes.
  • Cool Completely Before Frosting: Patience here prevents your frosting from melting and losing its shape.
  • Test Your Oven Temperature: Ovens can vary, so I always check with a thermometer to make sure my cupcakes bake evenly without drying out.

How to Serve Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe

Six cupcakes each with one layer of light pink cake topped with a swirl of dark green frosting are shown. Each cupcake is decorated with a whole red strawberry on top that has white candy pieces arranged inside a small mouth shape. Four cupcakes are on a square white plate with beaded edges placed on a white cloth with blue flowers, and one cupcake is on a small white plate with yellow flowers. In front, there is a small white bowl filled with dark cookie crumbs and three strawberries with white candy mouths placed on top. The whole scene is set on a white marbled texture with a red and white checkered cloth underneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually use crushed Oreo cookies to mimic “monster dirt” on top of the green frosting — it adds a fun crunch and contrasts well with the sweetness. The highlight, of course, is the monstrous strawberry garnish. I slice them cleverly to look like claws or fangs. If you’re hosting a party, a few candy eyeballs or edible glitter could amp up the fun even more!

Side Dishes

Since the cupcakes are rich and fruity, I like pairing them with a light cup of tea or a sparkling lemonade for a refreshing touch. For party platters, fresh fruit skewers or a simple green salad work well to balance the sweet.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween or birthday parties, lining up several Monster Strawberry Cupcakes on a tiered stand with creepy props like little monster figurines or faux spider webs makes a fantastic centerpiece. I’ve also served these on individual plates with edible flowers or a drizzle of strawberry sauce for an elegant twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge—they stay good for about 3 days without drying out. If you plan to store them longer, separate the frosting from the cupcake if possible to avoid sogginess.

Freezing

Freezing works beautifully here! I usually freeze the baked cupcakes unfrosted in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature and then frost fresh. You can also freeze frosted cupcakes but wrap them tightly to prevent freezer burn.

Reheating

If you want to warm up a cupcake, I lightly microwave it for about 10 seconds—just enough to bring out that fresh-baked vibe without melting the frosting. I find this best with unfrosted cupcakes or if frosting is on the side.

FAQs

  1. Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

    Yes, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh aren’t available, but be sure to thaw and drain them well before chopping and adding to the batter to avoid extra moisture that could affect cupcake texture.

  2. How do I make the frosting less sweet?

    Try reducing the powdered sugar slightly and adding a splash of lemon juice for balance. You can also use less cream to create a thicker frosting with less sweetness per bite.

  3. Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time for a party?

    Absolutely! Bake the cupcakes up to two days ahead and store them tightly covered in the fridge. Make or frost the buttercream the day of the party for best results.

  4. What if I don’t have pink or green food coloring?

    No worries—you can skip the coloring or use natural alternatives like beet powder for pink or spinach powder for green. The cupcakes will still taste amazing even without the vibrant colors!

  5. Is there an egg-free alternative for the egg whites?

    Yes, aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) works as an excellent egg white substitute. Use three tablespoons of aquafaba to replace one egg white, and whip it lightly before folding into your batter.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely love making this Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe when I want a baking project that ends with a big smile — both mine and whoever gets to eat them. The freshness of the strawberries paired with that smooth, green buttercream frosting creates something uniquely fun and delicious. If you’re anything like me, sometimes the kitchen is just a little brighter when there’s a bit of monster magic on the table. So grab your mixing bowls, invite a friend or two, and make this recipe your new favorite go-to cupcake. I promise, once you try these, you’ll understand why I’m such a fan!

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Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 25 reviews
  • Author: Sarah
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cupcakes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

Delight in these Monster Strawberry Cupcakes, featuring moist strawberry-infused cake topped with vibrant green vanilla buttercream frosting. Perfect for spooky celebrations or any fun occasion, these cupcakes combine fresh strawberries and preserves in the batter, baked to perfection and crowned with a creamy, colorful frosting finished with monster-themed decorations.

Ingredients

Cupcakes

  • 3 tbsp strawberry jam or preserves
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh strawberries
  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 drops pink food coloring
  • 1/3 cup milk

Vanilla Buttercream

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 6-8 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3-4 drops green food gel dye

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cupcakes.
  2. Mix Strawberries: In a small bowl, combine the chopped fresh strawberries with the strawberry jam or preserves, mixing gently and set aside.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until fully blended.
  4. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and sugar together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
  5. Add Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the egg whites, vanilla extract, and pink food coloring to the creamed mixture, beating until fully incorporated and the color is even.
  6. Add Dry and Milk: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture alternating with the milk, mixing on low speed to combine into a smooth batter.
  7. Fold in Strawberries: Gently fold the strawberry and preserves mixture into the batter to distribute evenly without overmixing.
  8. Fill Cupcake Liners: Line a cupcake pan with liners and fill each one about three-quarters full with batter.
  9. Bake Cupcakes: Place the cupcake pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  10. Prepare Buttercream: With an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter until light and fluffy.
  11. Add Sugar and Cream: Add 6 cups of powdered sugar along with the cream and vanilla extract. Mix slowly to combine, then beat on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light and creamy.
  12. Adjust Consistency: Add additional powdered sugar one cup at a time until the frosting reaches the desired consistency for piping or spreading.
  13. Color Frosting: Beat in 3 to 4 drops of green food gel dye until the color is evenly distributed throughout the buttercream.
  14. Decorate: Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them with the green buttercream and garnish with crushed Oreo crumbs and decorated monster strawberries as desired.

Notes

  • This strawberry cupcake recipe is adapted from Karas Party Ideas, a reliable source for festive treats.
  • The vanilla buttercream frosting recipe is inspired by Martha Stewart’s classic frosting technique for creamy and stable results.
  • To achieve the monster theme, decorate the cupcakes with green-tinted buttercream and creative monster strawberry toppings as a fun finishing touch.
  • Ensure the cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting or sliding of the buttercream.
  • For a more intense strawberry flavor, use freshly pureed strawberries instead of chopped pieces if preferred.
  • Pink food coloring can be adjusted according to your desired cupcake color intensity.
  • If you lack cream for the buttercream, whole milk can be used as a substitute but may slightly alter texture.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cupcake
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg

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