Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes are delightful treats that combine the classic flavors of strawberry cheesecake into a fun and convenient cupcake form. These mini desserts look amazing and are perfect for parties, picnics, or just a sweet finish to your meal. With a creamy cheesecake filling and a fluffy strawberry frosting, each bite is a taste of summer.

Why Make This Recipe

Making Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes is a great idea for several reasons. First, they are cute and easy to serve, making them perfect for any gathering. Second, they bring together the sweet taste of strawberries and the rich flavor of cheesecake, which is a winning combination for dessert lovers. Lastly, these cupcakes are simple to prepare, even for baking newbies. Everyone will love these tasty bites!

How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

Making Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes is simple and fun. Just follow these steps and enjoy the delicious results!

Ingredients:

1 box strawberry cake mix
1 (3.4 oz) instant strawberry pudding mix
1/2 cup oil
4 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 (3.4 oz) package instant cheesecake pudding mix
1/2 cup milk
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups Cool Whip, thawed
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp strawberry extract
3/4 cup diced ripe strawberries
5-6 cups powdered sugar
24 whole strawberries
48 graham cracker cookie sticks

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line muffin tins with 24 cupcake liners.
In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, pudding mix, oil, milk, and eggs for 2 minutes. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the tops spring back when touched. Cool the cupcakes on a wire rack.
In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and cheesecake pudding mix until thick. Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add the pudding mixture and mix again. Fold in the whipped topping. Use a cupcake corer or a small knife to cut out the center of each cupcake. Pipe the cheesecake filling into the centers. Refrigerate the cupcakes while making the frosting.
Beat the shortening and butter together until creamy. Add the salt, vanilla, and strawberry extract, then mix again. Slowly add half of the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Puree the diced strawberries in a food processor or blender, adding 1 tablespoon of water if the strawberries aren’t juicy enough. Add the strawberry puree to the frosting and beat until creamy. Add the remaining powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
Use a large piping bag fitted with icing tip 1M to swirl the strawberry frosting on the chilled cupcakes. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Before serving, top each cupcake with a fresh strawberry and two graham cracker cookie sticks. Enjoy!

How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

To serve Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes, simply place them on a nice platter. You can add a fresh strawberry on top of each one for a beautiful touch. These cupcakes are great for parties and celebrations. Pair them with a glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra sweetness!

How to Store Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

You can store Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. Place them in an airtight container and they will stay good for up to four days. If you need to store them for a longer time, you can freeze them without the frosting. Just place them in a freezer-safe container and they will last for about two months.

Tips to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

Make sure your cream cheese is soft to mix well with the other ingredients.
Do not overmix the cupcake batter; mix just until combined to keep the cupcakes light and fluffy.
You can use any type of berries for the frosting, not just strawberries! Blueberries or raspberries work well too.
If you like a stronger strawberry flavor, consider using fresh strawberry puree instead of just diced strawberries in the frosting.

Variation

You can switch up the flavor by using a different cake mix, like vanilla or chocolate, and changing the fruit in the cupcake and frosting. For example, use chocolate cake with raspberry frosting for a fun twist!

FAQs

1. Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the cupcakes a day before and store them in the refrigerator. Just frost them on the day you plan to serve.

2. Can I use homemade frosting instead of Cool Whip?
Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite homemade frosting recipe if you prefer a different option.

3. What can I substitute for the cream cheese?
You can use ricotta cheese or whipped cream cheese spread for a lighter filling, but the texture will be slightly different.

With these tips and steps, you’ll be able to whip up a batch of Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes that everyone will rave about. Happy baking!