Strawberry Filling for Cupcakes

I recently partnered with The Bozzuto Group, a real estate company that develops and manages fabulous homes and apartment buildings in the Mid-Atlantic, to create the perfect cupcake recipe in celebration of their 25th anniversary. The recipe was inspired by their office favorite, strawberry filling for cupcakes, to go along with their 25 for 25! Sweepstakes.

I haven’t had strawberry shortcake in years! My mom used to make it for us during the summertime for dessert. It was such a treat. I always loaded up on the whipped cream. My favorite part. I was excited that my responsibility for the recent partnership with Bozzuto was to make a treat replicating my childhood favorite dessert.

For the cupcakes, I used my go-to vanilla cupcake recipe. It’s a simple vanilla batter that does not require a mixer. Everything may be mixed by hand. They are infused with vanilla extract and vanilla bean. Just pure tasting vanilla goodness. You may leave out the fresh vanilla bean, but I strongly recommend you using it. These cupcakes are vanilla to the extreme. Soft, fluffy, and so much aromatic vanilla.

What’s strawberry shortcake without… well… strawberries? filled my vanilla cupcakes with homemade strawberry filling. If you think that the vanilla cupakes are easy, just wait until you experience the simplicity of this filling. 2 cups of diced strawberries cooked down with sugar and cornstarch. The mixture will thicken and it will be comparable to a sweet homemade strawberry jam with a few glorious chunks of real strawberry.

Simply carve out a tiny hole in the center of the cupcake with a sharp knife. The hole will be about 3/4 inch deep. I didn’t use a ruler or anything – just make sure you don’t hit the bottom of the cupcake and you’ll be all set. Top the cupcake with the piece you cut out as seen in the background of the photo above. It doesn’t have to look pretty because you’ll be topping the cupcake with whipped cream.

Why didn’t I use a piping tip and bag to fill the cupcakes? Good question. The filling has strawberry chunks in it and it’s much simpler to spoon it inside rather than pipe it inside. Spooning the filling is also not as messy. Bonus!

The topping? Well, it’s homemade strawberry filling for cupcakes whipped cream of course. Between the cupcakes, the filling, and therefore the topping , I found that the topping was the simplest . And quickest! Nothing from the shop can replicate this strawberry topping .

You will layer the strawberry whipped cream on top of the cupcakes with a knife. Then decorate with a few strawberry slices if desired. Nothing fancy. Told ya these cupcakes are easy! I love the beautiful chunks of strawberry hiding within the light pink topping . 🙂