Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting.
Why can’t you just all agree? I took a poll on Twitter and Facebook last night because I couldn’t decide if I wanted to share a savory or sweet recipe with you today. Yes, I’m indecisive. Sometimes. Yes, it’s annoying. Always. I’m glad the dating portion of my life is over.
You guys were alllll over the board! Especially you – yes you – my friends who said to combine savory and sweet! Oh, you’re funny. Cute. Ummm… that wasn’t an option. And here’s a little secret: I hate to break it to you but these pictures sure don’t come out of my kitchen at 9 o’clock at night. I have MUCH more important things to do at that time, like engross myself in reedonkulous reality dating TV shows and eat animal cookies out of the trash.
Just kidding!
No, seriously… I’m really kidding. But on Saturday I did make Mr. How Sweet throw away a full 5-pound container of animal crackers that he bought months ago and hasn’t touched. I’m just staring at it while it sticks out of the trash can because really… have you ever tried to stuff a 5-pound plastic rectangle into an oval hole?
Don’t answer that.
So yeah. The only savory + sweet recipe development that happens in my kitchen at 9PM is when I crush a peanut butter filled pretzel into brownie fudge ice cream. And I don’t regret it.
If you haven’t X-ed out your browser by now, then you’re wildly aware that today is SWEET. And pink.
I like pink things.
I like pink things so much that I ate all of the strawberries before taking a picture of them. But those are technically red… soooo yeah. You know what I really like that is pink? Strawberry cake. The good strawberry cake – I’m talking about that southern strawberry cake – the one that you’ve searched high and low for on the internet, the one that is impossible to create from scratch, with no readily from-scratch recipes available, so you end up buying the strawberry jello mix and adding it in the cake because it’s just sooo good. And there is nothing else like it. I know. Trust me. I know.
Well, this isn’t that. I’m not going to claim that these are as delicious as that… because I can’t tell a lie. What they are is fluffy vanilla cake made with fresh strawberries. Good stuff. Fresh. Fruity. Fabulous. And topped with really messy coconut frosting! Double like.
Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
makes 12 cupcakes
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped strawberries
1-2 tablespoons milk, if needed (I did not need/use this)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Beat butter and sugar together in the bowl of an electric mixer until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix until combined. Add flour, baking powder and salt with the mixer on low speed, then gradually increase speed. Add in chopped strawberries and beat on medium speed until the strawberries break down – about 1-2 minutes. At this point, the strawberries most likely have enough liquid that you don’t need to add any milk to the batter. If you batter seems dry and is not like typical cake batter (see 1st picture above), then add milk 1-2 tablespoons at a time, beating until incorporated.
Pour into cupcake liners, filling 2/3 of the way full, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until cake is set. Let cool, then frost.
Note: I would not suggest using frozen strawberries because of the high water content. If you must, make sure they are completely thawed and as dry as possible. Even the fresh strawberries have a high water content, so if yours seem very wet, blot them with a paper towel. Also, if you can get your hands on some strawberry extract, it would probably be delicious in these. You can also add some food coloring if desired to give it the bright pink look.
Coconut Frosting
2 sticks of butter, softened (1 cup)
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar + more if needed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of coconut extract (if you don’t have this, no big deal)
1-2 tablespoons of lite coconut milk
3/4 cup shredded, sweetened coconut
Cream butter in the bowl of an electric mixture until completely smooth and creamy. With the mixer on low speed, add in powdered sugar slowly. Gradually increase mixer speed and add vanilla and coconut extracts, then beat for 2-3 minutes, scraping down sides and bottom of the bowl. If frosting is too thick, add coconut milk 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached If it’s too thin, add powdered sugar gradually until it thickens. Fold in shredded coconut and mix until just combined.
I’m wordy today. If you made it this far, I love you.
181 Comments on “Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting.”
You are never too wordy for me, Jessica! I love your writing style and sense of humor. For instance-
” have you ever tried to stuff a 5-pound plastic rectangle into an oval hole? Don’t answer that. ” I laughed out loud! :-)
The cupcakes look so yummy! I love the fresh strawberries and the pink sprinkles on top…so YOU! :-)
I laughed at that one too :) haha
And dang it, I just made Strawberry pancakes to use up the last of our Strawberries!
Hahaha totally in agreement with Kim – kindly stop writing such hilarious things when I’m sneaking peeks at your blog at work, you’re totally blowing my cover! ;)
Blowing my cover? Ditto for me! Even when I read this blog from home, my family hears me laughing and always wants to know what in the world am I laughing at?! :-)
Hahaha I love you guys.
Coconut frosting! Oh wow, I can’t wait to try these :)
Oh, Jessica, you make my heart pitter patter!
The recipe itself, the photography, the use of pink sprinkles…oh I am in heaven!
Reread this though, maybe a typo
“Note: I would not suggest using fresh strawberries because of the high water content. If you must, make sure they are completely thawed and as dry as possible.”
Possibly change to not suggest using frozen? Then again, what do I know.
I’m in a food porn coma from these pictures. And strawberry jello in cake sounds…perfect :)
Yes, thanks girl!
I’ve been all about pies lately…but I think I might have to make the switch to cupcakes for these. :-)
I always make it all the way through – I LOVE your posts! :)
I made it all the way through! Trust me, you’re one of my fave food blogs and I always read every word of your posts :)
These look delicious…I’ve been buying berries like crazy while they’re in season, but I have a little problem with eating them before baking with them…
Thank you Maggie!
I just need a vat of that coconut frosting with a side of a cupcake, ha!
Wordy happens. And no one cares, because everyone is successfully distracted by the cupcakes. :) Yum!
Obsessed. I am veganizing, healthifying, and gluten-free-ifying these. Yummmm!
This looks like the perfect coconut frosting. I think I’d put it on some pineapple-rum cupcakes for a pina colada effect!
do you mean you would suggest not using FROZEN strawbs? these look so good! i made martha’s strawberry cupcakes one time and they tasted exactly like banana bread. i dont know either…
Yes – sorry, fixed it! And banana bread… hmmmm… haha.
Perfection! Those look like summer in cupcake form!
i want to nosedive into that frosting…and i’m totally a savory person, but i would massacre these!
Those look delicious! I love the pink on top! I just made cupcakes recently too, only they were snickerdoodle cupcakes…SO GOOD. :)
:) I’m glad you went with sweet- these would be a fun Fourth of July Dessert…because Pink is almost Red…which makes it almost a fourth of july color. Anyways, I love the idea of a coconut frosting with a strawberry cupcake. Deliciousness
Those look like heaven! Strawberries and coconut…perfect!
Can’t wait to try this strawberry cupcake recipe!
Made it through! <3 you and your blog!
This Just In: I like when you are wordy.
It makes me feel less alone, and stuff.
also, I like when you post recipes that I can’t help but print out and share with the local coffee shop in hopes that they decide to start recreating how sweet treats. Because I’m lazy and stuff.
Actually, it’s not that I am lazy as much as just rambly, leaving me little time to, you know, actually bake anything.
Ok. that’s not actually true.
but the fact that I have no air conditioning really does leave my baking for the winter months.
but the coffee shop has air conditioning.
see- I have a plan. and stuff.
I like you.
Hehe I don’t care how wordy your posts are because more words just means more laughing! These look great!
I love that pink frosting and those lovely crystals! Beautiful cup cakes.
I’m on facebook and twitter now!
OH. MY. GOODNESS. >I bet the whole neighborhood was singing ‘your cupcakes bring all the neighbors to the yard.< I like pink things too, maybe it would keep the husband from eating the batch!
Oh, wow. These look seriously amazing. I love strawberry anything!
Strawberries and coconut. A winning combination!
I’m thinking the next Bachelorette competition should involve the guys making Ashley some of these cupcakes. Who needs to dance if they can bake???
LIKE.
I’m just picturing the animal crackers sticking out of the garbage. We’ve definitely had the humungous 5lb. box in our house before too.
I don’t know why, but I just think it is so funny.
So, so pretty!!! Love the cupcakes!:D Since they have fruit, can I eat these for breakfast?
YES.
Quick question regarding the recipe…you mention adding salt in the directions but I don’t see salt in the ingredient list? Am I just missing it?
Ah, sorry! Fixing it. :)
thank you!! I always enjoy your creative & delicious recipes :)
I like wordy! And besides, your words make me giggle. :)
Haha – sometimes I get to the end of my posts and I’m like “WHEW! I was a TALKER in this one!” Hopefully people find it somewhat amusing rather than boring ;)
Those cupcakes look perfect. That’s such a perfect summery treat and I’m LOVING strawberries right now. I’ve been on the look out for good red/white/blue recipes cause I’m visiting my nieces this weekend – so maybe I’ll make these, add blueberries and call it a day! :)
Didn’t even think about the red, white and blue possibility!
I had coconut ice cream this weekend with actual pieces of coconut swirled in and LOVED it. I love that texture.
Pretty sure I might just make the frosting and eat it on its own :)
I need that ice cream in my life.
oh yes, you do! it was coconut chocolate chip from the local creamery here. Amazing. It my heart beat faster.
I love strawberry and coconut together. Can’t wait to see what the savory brings us though :)
Aimee
There will be a party in my belly with these babies tonight.
I’m in a sweet phase at the moment – just posted a Mars Bar Cheesecake on my blog.
Yum.
Yum.
Yum.
Mars Cheesecake?! UM YUM!!
wow wow wow! Hubby (coconut lover) would DIE if I made him this frosting! On something light and cakey. Or not. Alone in a little bowl would be fine too. Or spread on gram crackers. Or alone. You get the idea! :)
Jealous that you have a husband who loves coconut!
That first picture makes me want to eat the batter.
I might have consumed some batter… maybe…
I haven’t tried this recipe yet, but Lottie + Doof recipes are always pretty fantastic, and this strawberry cake recipe may be just what you’re looking for!
http://www.lottieanddoof.com/2011/05/strawberry-cake/
Thank you for sharing!
Love the coconut frosting with pink sprinkles!! I’m a huge girly girl so they’re right up my alley.
This look delicious! Love strawberry + coconut! Perfect for summer :)
Love this and love you! You are hilarious! These cupcakes look wonderful! I love pink things, and sweet things :)
I have never eaten anything out the trash can. There are neither any witnesses or proof. BUT last night, I was so hungry for cake batter rice krispy treats (and lacking the main ingredient), that UNfortunately some innocent Lucky Charms fell victim to my desire. Pretty good, actually. For breakfast today, I had cake batter pancakes. I’m on sugar overload. If I pick out the strawberries I had set aside for a healthy lunch, I’ll have JUST enough to make these! Maybe I’ll just make the Cupcakes for Two, because I may only have a little frosting left after my taste-testing. YUM!!
Strawberry cake is one of my favorite cakes ever! We served at my bridal shower and had strawberry cupcakes at my wedding. :)
So needless to say, I can’t wait to try these!
I had some strawberry cupcakes at my shower too… love them!
Usually I shy away from fruit in desserts, but this looks too heavenly!
Strawberry and coconut are a winning combo — summery, fresh, and belong in my belly.
PS animal crackers dipped in Dark Chocolate PB&Co would have blown your mind
Really?! I don’t even like animal crackers, but dipped in that I probably would.
They are adorable! But don’t help me when I trying to avoid sugar for a little bit… LOL But hey your blog is called “howsweeteats”! :P
Hahaha the best thing about that is that the name has nothing to do with food. It’s called How Sweet it Is because I am so obsessed with James Taylor!
Totally laughed out loud about those animal crackers. :D
I’m all about the sweet!
Why is it that I always leave your site wanting dessert? Well, except yesterday when I wanted pizza. What is this power you have over me? Stop that. :)
These look great! I might have to do some baking this weekend!
Can I just say that I love your frosting to cake ratio? As a fellow fluffy frosting lover, thank you for showcasing a giant mound of it in your recipes :)
PS – these look amazing.