Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes with Sprinkle Filling

These easy strawbery crunch cupcakes are perfect for parties, birthdays, or just a sweet snack at home. They combine the sweetness of strawberries with a satisfying crunch that makes them irresistible. You can easily make them with simple ingredients and impress your friends and family.

If you’re looking to make a fun, crowd-pleasing treat, these strawberry crunch cupcakes with sprinkle filling are the perfect choice. They bring together everything you want in a dessert—rich, creamy frosting, bursts of strawberry flavor, and a colorful surprise inside that everyone loves. With just the right balance of fruity sweetness and that satisfying crunch on top, these cupcakes are designed to impress.

I love how easy these cupcakes are to make, yet they look and taste like something you’d get from a specialty bakery. Whether you’re making them for a family gathering or just to treat yourself, they’re a fun way to add something special to your dessert game without needing a ton of extra ingredients. Plus, they’re adaptable; you can easily change up the sprinkles or add a little food coloring to make them perfect for any occasion.

These cupcakes don’t just taste amazing, they’re also a hit with both kids and adults, thanks to that hidden sprinkle filling. Each bite is a mix of creamy, crunchy, and fruity goodness that keeps people coming back for more. If you’re ready to bring a little extra cheer to your dessert lineup, these strawberry crunch cupcakes are sure to deliver.

Items Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make these strawberry cupcakes with crunchy sprinkle filling:

• Box of Strawberry Cake Mix: This serves as the foundation of the cupcakes, providing a consistent strawberry flavor and a light, fluffy texture. It’s a time-saver and gives reliable results, making the recipe accessible for any skill level.
• Sprinkles for Filling: The sprinkles add a fun surprise inside the cupcakes. When you bite in, they create a burst of color and a bit of crunch, making each cupcake more playful and exciting.
• Strawberry Puree for Frosting: Fresh strawberry puree brings a natural, fruity sweetness and vibrant pink color to the frosting. The puree enhances the strawberry flavor, giving the frosting a fresh, summery taste that complements the cupcake base.
• Butter for Frosting: Butter is the base of the frosting, providing a creamy texture and rich flavor. It also helps stabilize the frosting, allowing it to hold its shape when piped or spread on the cupcakes.
• Powdered Sugar for Frosting: This ingredient sweetens the frosting and helps achieve a smooth, fluffy consistency. Powdered sugar also thickens the frosting, balancing out the moisture from the strawberry puree.
• Strawberry Slices for Garnish: The strawberry slices serve as a fresh, colorful garnish on top of each cupcake. They add a hint of juicy freshness, making the cupcakes look extra inviting and tying the whole strawberry theme together visually and flavor-wise.

Ways To Customize

Here are a few fun ways to customize Strawberry Sprinkle Surprise Cupcakes to make them even more personal and unique:

1. Mix Up the Filling: Instead of classic sprinkles, try using mini chocolate chips, freeze-dried strawberries for extra berry flavor, or a mix of colorful confetti for a bright surprise. Crushed cookies or graham crackers also add a tasty, unexpected crunch.
2. Flavor the Frosting: While the strawberry puree in the frosting enhances the fruity taste, you can try adding a hint of vanilla extract, lemon zest, or almond extract for a twist. If you prefer a creamy and tangy taste, consider swapping part of the butter with cream cheese for a strawberry-cream cheese frosting.
3. Add Toppings: Garnish with more than strawberry slices by adding a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of chocolate, or a sprinkle of crushed nuts for added texture and flavor. For a fun presentation, top each cupcake with a small candy or gummy that complements the strawberry flavor, like a gummy bear or a chocolate-covered strawberry.

These simple tweaks allow you to keep the base recipe quick and easy while adding unique flavors and textures.

How To Make It

First, you’ll need to bake 12 cupcakes per box cake mix instructions and allow to cool on a rack. Then, slice and puree your strawberries. Next, follow these simple instructions:

Gently push a sliced strawberry onto the top of the frosted cupcake as garnish. Enjoy right away or store in the refrigerator.

Storage

Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container. They stay fresh for up to three days at room temperature. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week.

For freezing, wrap each cupcake in plastic wrap and foil. They last up to three months in the freezer.

Helpful Hints

• Insert a toothpick to check doneness. If it comes out clean, the cupcakes are ready to take out of the oven.
• Use cupcake liners to prevent sticking. I like to use either reusable silicone liners or parchment paper liners.
• Seal the Filling with Frosting: Once you’ve filled the cupcakes with sprinkles, cover the hole with a small piece of the removed cupcake or top it with a swirl of frosting. This helps keep the sprinkles hidden and contained, so they stay a fun surprise until that first bite.
• Use the Right Sprinkles: For the best effect, choose small, crunchy sprinkles that won’t dissolve or get soggy over time. Avoid chocolate or softer sprinkles, as they can absorb moisture from the cupcake or filling. Nonpareils or jimmies are perfect because they add color, crunch, and maintain their shape within the cupcake.

Serving Suggestions

These cupcakes are perfect for sharing at celebrations like birthday parties or baby showers. To make them feel even more special, add a bit of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on the side.

If you’re setting up a dessert table, arrange the cupcakes on a tiered stand and surround them with strawberry slices, creating a charming red-and-pink color scheme that’s sure to grab attention. They can also be served along with other small desserts like mini cheesecakes or cookies with similar flavors to create an eye-catching dessert spread.

If these cupcakes are for a family gathering or a treat at home, serve them with a drizzle of chocolate or strawberry sauce. This can be a fun way to enhance each bite and bring out the crunch and the fresh strawberry taste.

Questions Often Asked

Recipe

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