Description
Delight in these festive Halloween Strawberry Cupcakes topped with a luscious strawberry buttercream and drizzled with strawberry syrup for a spooky and sweet treat perfect for celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcakes
- 1 box strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounces) plus oil, water, and eggs as per package instructions
- 24 cupcake liners
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), softened
- ½ cup strawberry jam
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch kosher salt
Decoration
- ¼ cup strawberry syrup for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare Cupcakes: Use the strawberry cake mix to prepare 24 cupcakes according to the package instructions, including adding the necessary oil, water, and eggs. Pour batter into lined cupcake tins and bake as directed. Once baked, allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Cream Butter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened unsalted butter on medium speed until it becomes fluffy and smooth.
- Incorporate Strawberry Jam: Add the strawberry jam to the creamed butter and mix on medium speed until fully combined and smooth.
- Add Powdered Sugar: While mixing on medium-low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, ensuring all is incorporated smoothly into the frosting.
- Finalize Frosting: Add vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt to the mixture. Mix on medium speed until the frosting is fully incorporated and has a smooth texture.
- Frost Cupcakes: Using an offset spatula, thinly frost the top of each cooled cupcake with the prepared strawberry buttercream. This layer acts as a base for the decorative frosting and does not need to be perfect.
- Decorate with Piping: Transfer the remaining buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a small round frosting tip. Pipe a curved line resembling an ‘L’ shape down the center of each cupcake, then create swirls and squiggles extending from the curve to cover each half of the cupcake, creating a spooky design.
- Drizzle Syrup: Place the decorated cupcakes on a rimmed serving tray and lightly drizzle with strawberry syrup just before serving to simulate a blood-like effect.
- Storage: Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For optimal texture, drizzle strawberry syrup just before serving to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming.
- The strawberry syrup drizzle is best added right before serving to keep cupcakes fresh and avoid sogginess.
- You can substitute strawberry jam with raspberry jam for a different berry flavor.
- For a vegan version, use vegan butter and egg replacers in the cake mix.
- Adjust the piping tip size to create different frosting effects.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
