Strawberry Filling For Cupcakes
It is that month when almost everywhere is painted red, my kitchen will not be left behind either! We shall be making most of our bakes in red! It is the month my little girl was born. She has a deep love for strawberry recipes. This strawberry filling made her birthday so memorable.
Little girls love cute little things such as decorated cupcakes, “just for me”, you know. This time I wanted to do my favorite berry-filled vanilla cupcakes and since we needed red color, strawberries would make a perfect filling.
The strawberry filling is easy to make, it requires few ingredients and takes a short time to prepare.
Besides filling cupcakes, the luscious strawberry filling is versatile and can be used as a pie or tart filling, spread on pancakes, or as ice cream toppings.
I love the rich color and fruit chunks that give the filling a perfect texture. This yummy strawberry filling has replaced the store bought strawberry jam that we used to buy. J
You will not go wrong if you prepare the filling ahead of time and store it in a sterilized airtight container for a week. Grab a packet of strawberries next time you pop in a grocery store. Follow this simple step-by-step recipe.
Also, Check Out: Strawberry Pie With Frozen Strawberries
Ingredients and substitutes
Fresh or frozen strawberries
In this recipe you are free to use either frozen or fresh. Both will work perfectly alright. The sweet and tangy flavor of strawberries makes them one of my favorite berries.
You can substitute with other berries such as blackberries or blueberries, but this month we shall be keeping it red! Lol
All-purpose flour
The strawberry filling needs thickening. I prefer using all-purpose flour because it has never disappointed me. As long as you stick to the amounts in the recipe.
You can substitute all-purpose with tapioca, cornstarch, or arrowroot powder. Please check the expiry date of the thickening agents for great results.
Sugar
Add a depth of sweetness to the strawberry filling. There are other types of healthier sweeteners such as stevia powder, honey, or maple syrup. These two work fine too.
Lemon juice
The citrus flavor elevates the strawberry filling to another level of deliciousness. Ensure to add it when the fruit filling has cooled. Adding the lemon when the filling is hot will alter the taste.
Vanilla essence
Our all-time calm and warm flavor, vanilla blends beautifully with all other ingredients in the strawberry filling.
Water
Adds more moisture to the recipe, giving the strawberry filling a good consistency.
Equipment
Saucepan: a heavy-based pan is helpful, keeping the filling from sticking or even burning.
Wooden stick: is useful for stirring the strawberry filling ingredients to a perfect blend.
Potato masher: I like this tool! It crushed the strawberries to just the right size of chunks!
Mixing bowl: you will mix your thickening agent in a small bowl.
11 Perfect Malt Milk Powder Substitute Ideas. Click to Read.
Strawberry filling FAQ
How long does the strawberry keep fresh?
Extra strawberry filling. Once completely cooled, carefully pour it into a sterilized glass jar that is airtight. The strawberry filling will stay fresh for a week in the refrigerator.
How do I core my cupcakes for the filling?
Grab a large piping nozzle or tip and gently push it into the center of a cupcake. Turn it around and pull it out.
A hole that’s about an inch or an inch and a half will sufficiently hold the filling. Use a toothpick to push the ‘plug’ out of the nozzle. The plugs are a good snack for all those mouths that are watering for the cupcakes!
I am yet to buy a cupcake corer, I saw a good one on Amazon, and I am sure it will simplify this step.
Also, Check out: 10+ 4th of July Awesome Snack Ideas: Red, White & Blue Treats.
Strawberry Filling For Cupcakes
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Wooden stick
- Potato Masher
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla essence
- 1 pinch Salt
- 2 tablespoons All Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Strawberry jello crystals
- Juice from 1 Lemon
Instructions
- Assemble all the ingredients you need, wash the strawberries and pat them dry with kitchen paper towels.
- With a knife, carefully remove the leafy parts of the strawberries, and pour them into a heavy-based saucepan. Add the sugar, pinch of salt, and vanilla essence.
- Bring to a simmer with some water as you roughly crush the strawberries with a potato masher. Ensure you have some fruit lumps in the filling.
- Lower the heat,in a mixing bowl mix the flour with water to make a slurry. Pour the flour mixture into the cooking strawberries. Stir vigorously for about two minutes.
- The filling will begin to thicken,add a teaspoon of strawberry jello crystals. Stir until the crystals liquefy. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Once cooled, add lemon juice and mix thoroughly. This exquisite strawberry filling will enhance the overall taste of your cupcakes. Use the leftovers as a spread on toast or as pie or tart!
Suggested Serving
Bake your favorite vanilla cupcakes. Once they have cooled completely, core the middle of each cupcake to create a hole at the center of each cupcake.
Scoop the strawberry filling into the cupcake with a small spoon a step my little ones enjoy. You will want to cover the decadent filling by piping a beautiful rosette of strawberry buttercream frosting. Yuminess at its peak!
The taste of the strawberry filling sandwiched in the cupcake and strawberry buttercream frosting will earn you stars. I guarantee that, my fellow home chef.