Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes {Valentine's Day Cupcakes)

Easy Valentine's Day Cupcakes recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. These chocolate strawberry cupcakes with cocoa whipped cream and chocolate covered strawberries are very soft and moist.

February 14 is not too far away and I hope today's recipe will inspire you to get baking. I have been making these for years now. These are soft and fluffy strawberry cupcakes, paired with creamy chocolate whipped cream and topped off with chocolate covered strawberries. Everything about them is perfect for this special holiday. The pink color, the use of strawberries and chocolate is absolute bliss. Be sure to also browse my Pink Desserts (Valentine's Day Desserts) collection for more ideas beyond just cupcakes. Since it is a special day, I recommend you indulge and eat whatever your heart desires.

How to make easy chocolate strawberry cupcakes from scratch?

1. Bake cupcakes- Cool completely.
2. Prepare frosting- And chocolate covered strawberries.
3. Pipe frosting- On top of each cupcake.
4. Add chocolate strawberry- On top of each cupcake. Enjoy.

Key ingredients for chocolate covered strawberry cupcakes

• Cupcakes- I used homemade strawberry flavor.
• Frosting- Chocolate whipped cream paired perfectly.
• Chocolate covered strawberries- These can be store-bought or home-made and used as a cupcake topper/ decoration.

How to decorate Valentine's Day cupcakes?

Fondant- This can be homemade or store-bought. You can even buy pre-colored ones now.

Icing- This can also be homemade or store-bought. You can color it pink or red with gel color or liquid food coloring.

Various decorating tips- The large 1M tip is very popular for making sky high swirls.

Fresh fruits- Such as strawberries and raspberries.

Fresh flowers- That are edible and safe.

Candies- Look for heart shapes, pink and red colors.

Paper or plastic toppers- There are so many options in the market now that are beautiful and affordable.

Pre-made fondant decorations- Such as hearts or small flowers. You can find these online or in the cake decorating aisle at Wal Mart, Michael's or Hobby Lobby.

Sprinkles- There are so many shapes, sizes and colors to choose from these days.

Other cupcake topper ideas- Consider fresh edible flowers like roses or Fondant Roses or Sugar Cubes and Hearts or these Fondant Flowers or these Wafer Paper Flowers or Royal Icing Flowers (Sugar Flowers)

Variations

Pair with another frosting- Such as Strawberry Frosting (With Fresh Strawberries) or keep it simple with Chantilly Cream (Creme Chantilly). White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting would be so decadent paired with these cupcakes.

Fill cupcakes- With Strawberry Pie Filling or Homemade Strawberry Jam. This would enhance the strawberry flavor even further.

Use plain fresh strawberries- If you are short on time, just top with fresh strawberries and skip the step where you have to dip them in chocolate.

Try another cupcake flavor- Such as Best Red Velvet Cupcakes or Champagne Cupcakes.

Tips and techniques

Don't over-mix cupcake batter- Because that yields very dense cupcakes. Mix until just combined, even if there are a few lumps.

Don't decorate warm cupcakes- They must cool completely or else the icing will melt and make a sticky mess.

Prepare the frosting and chocolate covered strawberries while the cupcakes bake and cool- Because this saves time.

What piping tip to use? I used Wilton's big star tip 1M, but you can use whatever tip you prefer to get a a tall swirl of icing.

How many cupcakes does this make? This recipe produces 1 dozen cupcakes (12 cupcakes).

Make them for a crowd- Simply double the recipe ingredients and make 24 cupcakes.

Storage of homemade frosted cupcakes

Refrigerate- In a sealed container for up to 3 days.

Room temperature- These can be stored in a covered box away from direct heat for 1-2 hours.

Freeze- Unfrosted cupcakes and chocolate whipped cream can be stored in individual sealed containers for up to 1 month. When you are ready to enjoy this treat, thaw to room temperature and assemble, as per instructions below.

More romantic valentines cupcakes ideas

• Pink Champagne Cupcakes
• Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
• Easy Strawberry Cupcakes
• Flower Cupcake Bouquet
• Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes
• Red Velvet Cupcakes
• Easy Flower Cupcakes

Recipe