There's something truly special about homemade cupcakes made with fresh ingredients, and these Real Strawberry Cupcakes are no exception.

Unlike many recipes that rely on artificial flavors, this one brings out the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries for a deliciously authentic flavor. Whether you're making them for a special occasion or just because, these cupcakes are guaranteed to impress!

Ingredients You'll Need

To create these strawberry cupcakes, you'll need a few simple ingredients. Start with fresh strawberries—about 8 large ones. You'll also need eggs, white sugar, vegetable oil, and a touch of vanilla extract. For extra flavor, a bit of lemon zest is added to the batter. For the dry ingredients, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt are required.

If you want your cupcakes to be extra moist, consider adding instant vanilla pudding mix. A drop of red food coloring is optional but helps achieve that perfect pink hue. For the frosting, you'll need softened cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar, and a bit of vanilla extract. Fresh strawberry slices for decoration complete the look.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease your cupcake pans or line them with cupcake liners.

Step 2: Prepare the strawberry puree by placing 8 fresh strawberries in a blender and blending until smooth. Strain the puree to remove any seeds. You should have about ¾ cup of strawberry puree. Set this aside.

Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and strawberry puree. Mix until everything is well combined. Then, add in the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, and vanilla pudding mix (optional). If you'd like, add a drop of red food coloring to give your batter a soft pink tint.

Step 4: Spoon the batter into your prepared cupcake cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake in the oven for around 23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool for at least 10 minutes.

Making the Frosting

While the cupcakes cool, it's time to make the creamy frosting. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until the frosting is smooth and lump-free.

Step 5: Once your cupcakes have cooled, generously frost each one with about two tablespoons of the cream cheese icing. Top each cupcake with a fresh strawberry slice for a beautiful finishing touch.

Enjoy the Freshness

These Real Strawberry Cupcakes are the perfect balance of light and moist, with a natural strawberry flavor that shines through. The cream cheese frosting adds just the right amount of tang to complement the sweetness of the cupcakes. These treats are perfect for any occasion or just as a sweet snack to enjoy with friends and family.