These easy vegan strawberry cupcakes are a delightful treat for any occasion. Packed with the fresh, natural flavor of strawberries, they offer a soft, fluffy texture that melts in your mouth. Made in just one bowl, these cupcakes are not only delicious but also simple to prepare, making them perfect for busy bakers. Their pretty pink color makes them a visually appealing dessert, ideal for birthday parties, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or any other special celebration.
What sets these cupcakes apart is the luscious frosting. Made with a puree of real strawberries, it delivers a signature strawberry flavor that is simply out of this world. The frosting is so delicious that you’ll find it impossible not to lick the bowl clean! Plus, you’ll use a little of the strawberry puree in the frosting, ensuring that every bite is bursting with fresh strawberry goodness.
The cupcakes themselves are moist and filled with little chunks of real strawberries, adding delightful bursts of flavor in every bite. With no artificial flavors, these cupcakes are bursting with the true essence of fresh strawberries, making them a guilt-free indulgence for any occasion.
If you’re looking for an excuse to enjoy more beautiful, sweet Queensland winter strawberries, look no further than this perfectly tender strawberry cupcake recipe. Incorporating the taste of the season, these cupcakes are sure to become a favorite among family and friends alike.
These vegan strawberry cupcakes are a delightful treat for any occasion. Made with fresh strawberry purée, they offer a burst of natural strawberry flavor in every bite. The cupcakes are not only delicious but also easy and quick to make, with a gorgeous pink color that is sure to impress. They are perfectly moist, sweet, and loaded with strawberries, making them irresistible to any crowd.
Lightly adapted from a vegan strawberry cake recipe, these cupcakes maintain all the qualities of their larger counterpart but in a convenient single-serving size. They are a beautiful addition to birthdays, celebrations, or simply as a sweet treat for yourself.
While the blog typically features healthier, whole-food recipes, the author admits to having a weakness for cake. Whether it’s a decadent, indulgent cake or a healthier version, the author loves them all. Cake and cupcakes hold a special place in their heart as desserts that feel particularly special and exciting.
Since sharing a 3-layer vegan strawberry cake recipe in 2019, it has consistently been one of the top dessert recipes on the blog, receiving wonderful feedback from readers. This positive reception speaks to the universal appeal of these cupcakes, proving that sometimes, a classic treat like a strawberry cupcake is all you need to create a memorable dessert experience.
Reasons to adore this recipe
- Flavor: These cupcakes derive their flavor from an abundance of fresh strawberries, with 3 cups of the fruit packed into the batter. This natural approach eliminates the need for any artificial strawberry essence, ensuring a genuine and delightful taste of strawberries in every bite.
- Difficulty: Despite their impressive flavor, these vegan strawberry cupcakes are surprisingly easy to make. The recipe utilizes common ingredients found in most kitchens, making it accessible to a wide range of home bakers.
- Appearance: One of the most charming aspects of these cupcakes is their appearance. The natural pink hue of the strawberries gives the cupcakes a pretty and inviting look. For those looking to enhance the color further, options like beetroot powder or red food coloring can be used, adding a touch of creativity to the baking process.
- Allergy-Friendly: These cupcakes are not only vegan but also cater to various dietary restrictions. They are naturally eggless, dairy-free, nut-free, and soy-free, making them suitable for those with allergies or specific dietary preferences. Additionally, a gluten-free option is provided, ensuring that more individuals can enjoy these delicious treats without worry.
- Other Vegan Cupcake Options: For those who enjoy baking vegan treats, this recipe offers a gateway to a world of possibilities. The mention of other vegan cupcake options, such as vegan red velvet cupcakes, carrot cake cupcakes, or coconut lime cupcakes, encourages experimentation and further exploration of vegan baking.
Ingredients
- Strawberries: Whether fresh or frozen, strawberries are a key ingredient in this recipe. It’s recommended to choose a variety of strawberries that are naturally sweet, as they are the main flavor component of the cupcakes. Interestingly, the high amount of strawberries also serves as a wonderful binder or egg replacer in this vegan recipe.
- Coloring Options: To achieve a vibrant pink color in the cupcakes, you can use either beetroot powder or vegan pink/red food coloring. Without these additives, the cupcakes will have a pale color. It’s important to note that the choice of beetroot powder brand can impact the final color result. Some brands may produce a bright pink color, while others may fade to an orange/brown color after baking.
- Raising Agents: Baking powder and soda are used as double-raising agents in this recipe. This helps to ensure that the cupcakes are fluffy and light, despite the high amount of fruit in the batter. It’s crucial to use fresh baking powder and soda, as expired or old leavening agents may lead to dense cupcakes.
- Acidic Addition: The addition of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to dairy-free milk creates a vegan buttermilk. This acidic mixture helps to tenderize the gluten in the batter, resulting in a more tender crumb in the finished cupcakes.
- Overall: These detailed elements of the recipe showcase the thoughtful consideration of ingredients and techniques to create a delicious and visually appealing vegan treat.
Creating Vegan Strawberry Cupcakes
To begin making vegan strawberry cupcakes, start by preparing the strawberries. Puree the strawberries using a food processor, blender, or stick blender until smooth. It’s important to ensure that there are no chunks of strawberries remaining in the puree.
If you’re using a stick blender, add the strawberries to a mixing bowl and blend until smooth. This step is crucial as the pureed strawberries will not only add flavor but also act as a natural binder in the cupcakes.
By pureeing the strawberries, you’ll be able to incorporate their fresh, fruity flavor throughout the cupcakes, ensuring each bite is bursting with strawberry goodness.
Blender Tip: A helpful tip is to use a large blender when blending the strawberries with all the wet ingredients. This makes it easier to puree the strawberries thoroughly.
the cupcake batter is easily prepared in one bowl. Start by mixing all the dry ingredients together, then add the wet ingredients and fold them in until just combined. It’s okay if there are some lumps, but ensure there are no lumps of flour. If you’re using food coloring, it’s best to add it along with the wet ingredients.
For those using beetroot powder, here are some helpful tips: Begin with about 2-3 teaspoons of beetroot powder and incorporate it into the dry ingredients. As you near the end of mixing, you can add more for a deeper color if desired. However, be cautious not to overmix the batter. The amount of beetroot powder needed may vary based on its brand and age. Additionally, remember that beetroot powder tends to fade during baking, so adding a bit more before baking is acceptable if you desire a stronger color.
Splitting Your Cupcake Batter
For more precise and uniform cupcakes, consider using an ice cream scoop to portion out the batter into your cupcake pan or mold. This technique not only makes the process easier but also ensures a neater result, with each cupcake being of similar size. Using an ice cream scoop helps maintain consistency in the baking process, resulting in cupcakes that are evenly cooked and visually appealing.
Key Tips for Achieving Fluffy Cupcakes
To achieve light and fluffy cupcakes, it’s crucial to follow these detailed tips:
- Measure Ingredients Accurately:
Use a kitchen scale to measure ingredients in grams for precision, especially with flour, as using too much can lead to dense cupcakes.
- Mixing Technique:
Avoid overmixing the batter, as this can result in tough cupcakes. Instead of using electric hand beaters or a stand mixer, gently mix the batter in a bowl. It’s okay to have lumps in the batter, as long as they are not lumps of flour. These lumps actually contribute to better cupcakes.
- Batter Consistency:
The cake batter will be bubbly due to the high amount of raising agents. Do not whisk out the bubbles; they help create a light texture. Quickly divide the batter into the cupcake mold to prevent the bubbles from dissipating.
- Timely Baking:
Do not let the cake batter sit around once mixed. It should be transferred from the bowl to the oven as soon as possible. This ensures that the raising agents are still active and will help the cupcakes rise properly.
- Oven Temperature:
Use an oven thermometer to ensure that your oven is at the correct temperature. Baking these cupcakes at the right temperature is crucial; baking at too low a temperature can result in dense cupcakes.
Following these detailed tips will help you achieve perfectly fluffy and light cupcakes every time.
Decorating Options for Your Cupcakes
These cupcakes pair wonderfully with either strawberry buttercream frosting or strawberry cream cheese frosting. Additionally, you can top them with whipped dairy-free cream, chocolate ganache, vanilla buttercream, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar.
Adapting the Recipe for Gluten-Free Strawberry Cupcakes
The easiest way to make vegan gluten-free strawberry cupcakes is to bake my vegan gluten-free strawberry cake recipe in a cupcake pan. When prepared as cupcakes, they turn out fluffy and dome-shaped.
However, making these cupcakes gluten-free can be a bit challenging. Some 1:1 gluten-free flours, including Bob’s Red Mill, can result in dense and doughy cupcakes. To achieve the perfect texture, I use a combination of almond flour for moisture and texture, potato starch to lighten and fluff the cupcakes, and cornstarch to bind the flowers together.
It’s important to note that the gluten-free cupcake batter is more liquid than the regular batter, despite containing more gluten-free flour. As a result, the gluten-free cupcakes may not rise as much as the original ones and might be flatter. Cupcakes that rise more tend to have a thicker batter but can become dry by the second day.
Conclusion:
In detail, these Vegan Strawberry Cupcakes offer a delightful blend of flavors and textures that make them a standout dessert. The recipe’s simplicity, combined with the vibrant flavor of fresh strawberries, creates a treat that is both satisfying and refreshing. The use of almond flour, potato starch, and corn starch in the gluten-free adaptation ensures that even those with dietary restrictions can enjoy these cupcakes without compromising on taste or texture.
What sets these cupcakes apart is their versatility in terms of toppings. Whether adorned with strawberry buttercream frosting, whipped dairy-free cream, or simply a dusting of powdered sugar, each variation adds its own unique twist to the classic strawberry flavor. This adaptability makes these cupcakes perfect for any occasion, from casual gatherings to elegant celebrations.
Moreover, the visual appeal of these cupcakes, with their fluffy texture and dome-shaped tops, adds to their allure. They are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. The recipe’s ability to produce consistently fluffy and moist cupcakes, regardless of the topping or adaptation used, is a testament to its reliability and appeal.
In conclusion, these Vegan Strawberry Cupcakes are a true delight for anyone looking to indulge in a sweet and satisfying treat. Whether you follow the original recipe or opt for the gluten-free adaptation, these cupcakes are sure to impress with their delicious flavor, moist texture, and beautiful presentation.
FAQ’S
What are some tips for ensuring my cupcakes stay moist and fluffy?
Buttermilk is a key ingredient for creating moisture cupcakes compared to using regular milk, thanks to its acid content. Another option for achieving moist cupcakes is to use vegetable oil, which is known for its ability to create a very moist texture. Additionally, incorporating Instant Clearjel or Instant Pudding mix into your cupcake batter can help retain more moisture, as these ingredients contain a modified starch that helps lock in the moisture during baking.
What are the key ingredients in a strawberry cupcake?
Whisk together the strawberry powder, flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined, and then set aside. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer until fluffy and noticeably lighter in color. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
What are the advantages of using milk instead of water in cupcakes?
The average cake mix typically requires water, but for a more flavorful and dense cake, consider using whole milk or your preferred non-dairy alternative such as almond, oat, or coconut milk. These substitutes add fat, enhancing the flavor and texture of the cake.
Is it possible to freeze cupcakes that are made from scratch?
Yes, you can freeze cupcakes by placing them in an airtight container in a single layer. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Since they are individually portioned, you can thaw as many or as few as you need at a time.
Should cupcakes be frozen with or without frosting for best results?
Whether you’re using cream cheese frosting or classic buttercream, I’ve found that freezing unfrosted cupcakes is more efficient for maintaining their appearance and ensuring the frosting’s texture remains perfect. This method keeps the cupcakes looking pretty and allows for easy frosting application when you’re ready to serve them.
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