5 from 1 vote

Strawberry Cupcakes

ByStacie Vaughan On January 10, 2022June 22, 2025 Updated June 22, 2025

These sweet, fluffy, and moist cupcakes are incredibly easy to make with the help of a box of cake mix. Strawberry Cupcakes are topped with a luscious and creamy strawberry buttercream frosting, taking this dessert to the next level.

Strawberry cupcakes on a circular wooden platter with a bowl of white chocolate chips.

I’m all about easy recipes with shortcuts, and this strawberry cupcake recipe with cake mix fits the bill perfectly. Make your own sweet homemade strawberry buttercream to send this dessert over the top.

They make the perfect cupcake for Valentine’s Day with their pretty pink color. Though, you could enjoy them any time of year!

You don’t even have to worry about finding fresh strawberries in season. This recipe uses strawberry jam in the cupcakes and freeze-dried strawberries in the frosting.

Each bite is light, fluffy, and bursting with strawberry flavor. Yum!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Made with cake mix with a few delicious add-ins
No need to use fresh strawberries, so they can be made year-round
Sweet, light, and fluffy
Can decorate the cupcakes to your liking
Kids love them
Perfect treat for Valentine’s Day
Ready to eat in just over 30 minutes

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Strawberry Cupcakes

Box of vanilla cake mix – I used Betty Crocker’s Vanilla Cake Mix because it’s light and moist.
White chocolate chips
Eggs – I use large eggs.
Milk – I use 2% milk.
Water
Strawberry jam – Use your favorite jam. I used Smucker’s jam, but have made them before with organic and homemade jam, and they were equally delicious.

ingredients on a white marble background.

Strawberry Buttercream

Freeze-dried strawberries – Add them to a blender and pulse until they become a powder.
Powdered sugar
Butter – I use salted butter because it helps bring out the sweetness of the strawberries.
Milk – I use 2% milk
Vanilla extract

How to Make Strawberry Cupcakes

Step One: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a cupcake pan or use cupcake liners.
Step Two: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix and white chocolate chips. Mix well.

Collage of mixing ingredients in a bowl.

Step Three: In a medium-sized bowl, combine eggs, water, milk, and jam. Mix until combined.
Step Four: Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture while using a hand mixer on low speed. Mix until all the dry mixture is incorporated.

Step Five: Pour the mixture into the prepared cupcake pan.
Step Six: Bake for 14 to 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
Step Seven: Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

How to Make Strawberry Buttercream

Step One: In a medium-sized bowl, mix the powdered sugar and the powdered strawberries. Set aside.

Step Two: In a large bowl, cream the butter with a hand mixer until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step Three: Add milk and continue mixing until the milk and butter are thoroughly combined (about 20 seconds).
Step Four: Add about one-third of the sugar mixture and carefully mix to combine the sugar with the butter mixture.
Step Five: Repeat Step 4 until all the sugar has been used and the mixture is well mixed.
Step Six: Pipe or spread the buttercream on top of the cupcakes.

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What to Serve with Them

Variations and Substitutions

Try a yellow cake mix instead of the vanilla.
Omit the white chocolate chips.
Substitute the white chocolate chips with mini chocolate chips or regular chocolate chips.
Use mashed fresh strawberries instead of jam.
Can’t find freeze-dried strawberries? Use mashed fresh strawberries or mashed frozen strawberries (thawed) instead.

Storage Instructions

Once the cupcakes are decorated, you can store them at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container. You can also store them in the fridge in an airtight container for 5 to 6 days.

Can I Make Ahead?

Yes, you can make the cupcakes ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Pipe the strawberry buttercream frosting onto them right before serving.

Can I Freeze?

I don’t recommend freezing the cupcakes after they’ve been decorated.

You can freeze just the cupcakes (minus the buttercream frosting) if you like, for up to 3 months if stored properly.

Different Ways to Decorate the Cupcakes

Put the frosting in a piping bag with a desired tip and pipe it on top of the cupcake.
If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a plastic Ziplock bag. Put the frosting in the bag and cut the corner of the bag. Be careful not to cut too small a hole, or your frosting will come out like string. If you cut it too big, it will resemble a large ribbon. I usually cut around ½ inch or less.
Use an offset spatula or a butter knife and spread the frosting on top of the cupcake.
Decorate them however you like! You can leave them as is, or jazz them up with strawberries on top, or even sprinkle them with sprinkles.

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