Irresistible Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes: Your Ultimate Valentine’s Day Indulgence

Prepare to fall in love with these heavenly Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes – an exquisite fusion of moist chocolate cupcakes, crowned with a cloud of fluffy strawberry cream cheese frosting, and elegantly drizzled with rich chocolate ganache. This decadent Valentine’s Day masterpiece is brought to you by our talented contributor, Lauren Kapeluck of EllenJay Events, designed to capture hearts and delight palates.

Embracing the Spirit of Valentine’s Day with a Classic Twist

As Valentine’s Day approaches, our thoughts invariably drift to classic symbols of affection and indulgence. Among these, chocolate-covered strawberries stand out as an iconic declaration of love and a universally adored treat. They embody the perfect harmony of rich, dark chocolate and the fresh, vibrant sweetness of ripe strawberries. But what if we could elevate this beloved classic into an even more shareable and delightful form? This recipe for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes does exactly that, transforming a timeless romantic gesture into a portable, intensely flavorful dessert that’s guaranteed to impress.

Forget the predictable boxes of chocolates; this year, surprise your loved ones with a homemade creation that speaks volumes. These cupcakes aren’t just a dessert; they’re an experience, a miniature celebration of love and deliciousness that brings together all the best elements of a romantic treat. Each bite promises a symphony of textures and tastes, making them an unforgettable highlight for any Valentine’s Day gathering or a cozy celebration for two.

The Culinary Journey: From Concept to Cupcake Perfection

The journey to perfecting these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes began with a vision of blending iconic flavors into a harmonious whole. Initially, the idea of a delicate strawberry cake base adorned with a chocolate ganache seemed appealing. However, as the focus sharpened on crafting the ultimate Valentine’s indulgence, it became clear: this month truly belongs to chocolate. And when it comes to celebrating love, can there ever be too much chocolate?

The decision was made to embrace a rich, dark chocolate cake as the foundation, ensuring that every element contributed to a deeply satisfying chocolate experience. This bold choice ensures a luxurious depth of flavor that complements the bright strawberry notes rather than overshadowing them. Trust us, once you bite into these moist, tender chocolate cupcakes, you’ll understand why this extra layer of cocoa goodness was absolutely essential. It’s a foundational promise of pure bliss, setting the stage for the luscious toppings to come.

Crafting Each Exquisite Layer

Each component of these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes is designed to contribute to an unparalleled taste and texture sensation:

The Perfect Chocolate Cupcake Base

The journey to cupcake perfection begins with a truly exceptional chocolate cupcake. Our go-to recipe ensures a consistently moist, tender, and intensely chocolatey crumb. The secret lies in a careful balance of ingredients, including rich cocoa powder, a touch of baking soda for lift, and the addition of sour cream and vegetable oil, which work together to create an unbelievably tender and decadent texture. These cupcakes are so delicious, they could easily be enjoyed on their own, but they truly shine as the sturdy, flavorful foundation for our strawberry and chocolate symphony. Baking them just right is key – a toothpick inserted should come out clean, indicating a perfectly cooked center without any dryness.

The Dreamy Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Elevating the chocolate base is a generous, ruffled mound of fluffy strawberry cream cheese frosting. This isn’t just any frosting; it’s a luscious blend of tangy cream cheese, creamy butter, and the vibrant sweetness of real strawberry puree. The puree is the game-changer here, infusing the frosting with authentic fruit flavor and a beautiful natural pink hue, making it as delightful to look at as it is to taste. The tanginess of the cream cheese perfectly cuts through the sweetness, creating a balanced and incredibly addictive topping. When piped with a decorative tip like Wilton 2D, it creates an elegant, inviting swirl that beckons you to take a bite.

The Decadent Chocolate Ganache Drizzle

No chocolate-covered strawberry creation would be complete without a lavish touch of chocolate ganache. A silky-smooth, glossy drizzle cascades over the strawberry cream cheese frosting, adding another layer of deep chocolate flavor and a luxurious visual appeal. This ganache is made with heavy cream, a hint of corn syrup for that perfect sheen, and high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips, resulting in a rich, pourable consistency that sets beautifully. The slight bitterness of the semi-sweet chocolate perfectly contrasts with the sweet frosting and cupcake, tying all the flavors together in a sophisticated embrace.

The Iconic Chocolate Covered Strawberry Garnish

Finally, the pièce de résistance: a perfectly prepared chocolate-covered strawberry perched atop each cupcake. This iconic garnish isn’t just for show; it’s a direct nod to the inspiration behind the entire dessert. Each fresh strawberry is carefully dipped in melted dark chocolate, creating that satisfying shell that cracks with every bite. The combination of fresh fruit and crisp chocolate provides a delightful textural contrast and an extra burst of fresh flavor, completing the full “chocolate-covered strawberry” experience in cupcake form. It’s the final flourish that makes these cupcakes truly unforgettable and undeniably festive for Valentine’s Day.

Expert Tips for Baking and Enjoying Your Cupcakes

To ensure your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes turn out perfectly every time, here are a few expert tips:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: For the frosting, ensure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature. This is crucial for achieving a smooth, lump-free, and airy frosting consistency.
• Don’t Overmix: When making the cupcake batter, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense cupcakes. A few small lumps are perfectly fine!
• Cool Completely: Before frosting, make sure your cupcakes are entirely cool. Warm cupcakes will melt the frosting, leading to a messy outcome.
• Drying Strawberries: For the chocolate-covered strawberries, ensure your strawberries are completely dry before dipping. Any moisture will cause the chocolate to seize or not adhere properly.
• Ganache Consistency: Allow your ganache to cool slightly and thicken to a drizzly consistency. If it’s too hot, it will melt the frosting; if it’s too thick, it won’t drizzle smoothly.
• Piping Practice: If you’re new to piping, try a practice swirl on a plate first. The Wilton 2D tip creates a beautiful ruffled effect with a simple squeeze and gentle wiggle as you pull up.

Be warned, these fancy cupcakes are an indulgent affair that might get a little messy! With their generous frosting and ganache, you might want to equip yourself with a fork, or simply embrace the delicious inevitability of getting a little chocolate ganache on your lips. It’s all part of the sweet, joyful experience. We truly hope you cherish this recipe and have the sweetest Valentine’s Day filled with love and these delectable treats!

Print Recipe

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Print Recipe

• Author: Lauren Kapeluck
• Yield: 28 Cupcakes
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: Cupcake

Ingredients

For the Moist Chocolate Cupcakes:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs

For the Fluffy Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 12 ounces cream cheese (block style), softened
• 5 tablespoons strawberry puree (made from ¾ cup frozen strawberries, thawed and pureed)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 cups confectioners’ sugar

For the Decadent Chocolate Ganache:

• 1 ⅓ cups heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon corn syrup
• 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Signature Chocolate Covered Strawberries:

• 28 fresh strawberries, washed and dried
• 12 ounces dark chocolate melting wafers

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Instructions

Prepare the Chocolate Cupcakes:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line two muffin pans with paper cupcake liners, ensuring each cavity is ready.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk these together thoroughly until they are uniformly combined.
3. Add the vegetable oil and sour cream to the dry mixture. Mix these wet ingredients into the dry ingredients gently with your whisk until just incorporated.
4. Gradually add the water to the mixture, continuing to whisk until the batter is smooth and well-combined.
5. Finally, add the vanilla extract and eggs. Whisk until all ingredients are fully integrated into a smooth batter, being careful not to overmix.
6. Fill each cupcake liner approximately 2/3 full with the prepared chocolate cupcake batter. This allows room for the cupcakes to rise without overflowing.
7. Bake for 16-19 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked.
8. Allow the freshly baked cupcakes to cool in their pans for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is a crucial step before frosting.
9. Once the cupcakes are completely cool to the touch, they are ready to be frosted with the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting and drizzled with Chocolate Ganache.

Craft the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), combine the softened butter and cream cheese. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light, creamy, and smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
2. Add the strawberry puree and vanilla extract to the butter and cream cheese mixture. Mix until these are thoroughly combined and the frosting takes on a pale pink hue.
3. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, about 2 cups at a time, mixing on low speed until each addition is incorporated, then increasing to medium until well combined. Continue until all the sugar is added and the frosting is fluffy and smooth.
4. Transfer the prepared frosting to a piping bag fitted with a Wilton tip 2D (or any star tip). Hold the piping bag straight above the center of a cooled cupcake, squeeze gently, and wiggle the piping bag slightly as you pull straight up to create a beautiful ruffled, swirled look. Repeat for all cupcakes.
5. Place the frosted cupcakes in the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes. This brief chill time helps the frosting to set, making it more stable for the ganache drizzle.

Prepare the Decadent Chocolate Ganache:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream and corn syrup. Heat this mixture over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, just until it begins to simmer gently around the edges. Do not bring to a rolling boil.
2. Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl.
3. Once the cream mixture is simmering, immediately pour it over the chocolate chips in the bowl. Let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes; do not stir yet. This allows the heat from the cream to melt the chocolate evenly.
4. After 5 minutes, begin to gently stir the mixture from the center outwards until the chocolate is completely melted and the ganache is smooth, glossy, and uniform.
5. Allow the chocolate ganache to cool and thicken slightly at room temperature before drizzling it over the frosted cupcakes. It should be thick enough to drizzle but still fluid.

Make the Signature Chocolate Covered Strawberries:

1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Thoroughly wash and completely dry the fresh strawberries. Any moisture will prevent the chocolate from adhering properly.
3. Place the dark chocolate melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, for about 1.5 to 2 minutes, or until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted.
4. Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate, covering about 3/4 of the berry. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off, then place the dipped strawberries onto the prepared baking sheet.
5. Once all strawberries are dipped, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to allow the chocolate to set and harden.
6. Carefully place one chocolate-covered strawberry on top of each cupcake as the final, exquisite garnish.

Notes

• To maintain freshness and ensure the frosting and strawberries remain delightful, store the finished cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy them. Bring them to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.

More Irresistible Valentine’s Day Cupcake Recipes to Love:

Looking for more ways to sweeten your celebrations? Explore these delightful cupcake recipes, perfect for sharing love and joy:

• Classic Red Velvet Cupcakes
• Elegant Champagne Raspberry Cupcakes
• Adorable Love Bug Cupcakes
• Sweet Strawberry Nutella Cupcakes
• Charming Pink Ruffle Cupcakes