I’m sharing my new, unbelievable cupcakes today. It’s Strawberry Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting. Perfectly moist and soft strawberry cupcakes topped with light and creamy mascarpone frosting.
I’m not even exaggerating, guys! These are the best cupcakes that I’ve ever made. I’ve finally achieved an amazing texture on the cupcakes. Cupcakes have been my white whale for the longest time. I am still working on the perfect plain vanilla and perfect chocolate cupcake recipe, but as far as fruit cupcakes, I’ve done it!
These cupcakes are just the right amount of soft and moist and they are delicious.
This frosting is my new favorite too. I got some mascarpone cheese about a week ago because I was planning on making a Tiramisu-like dessert. It didn’t work out so I wanted to use it quickly. I added the mascarpone to my whipped frosting recipe and it turned out AMAZING! I don’t know how I didn’t do it before but I am all in now and not going back!
Before I share the recipe, I want to talk to you about something. I wanted to see what my readers thought about my photos…
I’m sure that my regular readers noticed that most of my photos are darker; set on a black background or styled in a life-style setting. I don’t normally do very light photos or white background. I love those kind of pictures but it is just not me and when I shoot on a white or light background, it seems unnatural to me. I usually redo the photo in a darker setting. (Although, I’m still trying.)
So here is where I want your opinions… Do you like dark setting on my food photos? Does a black, artistic-like picture of the food effect the chances of you making my recipe in any way? Take a look at these cupcakes that I’ve posted in the past and tell me (not judging by the cupcake but only by the photo) which do you like better, darker or lighter?
2. Avocado Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
3. Strawberry Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting
4. Root Beer Cupcakes With Cream Soda Frosting
Alright, alright…here is the recipe!
Strawberry Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting
Ingredients
- Cupcakes:
- 5-6 medium strawberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1 cup low fat buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Frosting:
- 8 oz Mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- Strawberries for topping diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 and line the muffin pan cups with cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the strawberries with a fork.
- Add sugar, vegetable oil, egg, buttermilk and vanilla. Whisk well until all incorporated.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk until all smooth and combined.
- Divide the batter among the muffin cups, filling them 3/4 of the way.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.
- Frosting: (use whisk attachment here) in a bowl of an electric mixer, add the mascarpone cheese, heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract. Start on low to mix the ingredients and gradually increase the speed over a few seconds to medium-high. Do no walk away, this will be ready fast! Slowly pour in the sugar. Beat on medium-high until soft peaks form and gradually lower the speed, over a couple of seconds.
- Once the cupcakes are cooled, frost them and top off with diced strawberries.
Nutrition
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maria says
I’m looking forward to trying the cupcakes.
Regarding photos: I dislike the black. It looks nice, the food looks awesome, but there’s something a bit un-natural or cold (not inviting) about it.
Cooking/baking is about home and family and life. None of those things are truly achieved in darkness so I would say, stick with the lighter photos. In those you see something else. Not just the food but the surroundings, maybe it’s more food, but there’s some ‘context’ there.
Just my opinion, but you asked. 🙂
lyuba says
I welcome all opinions, Maria! Thank you 🙂
Sometime I like to express myself artistically 😉 I think that’s why I mix it up, a little of both.
I hope you give these cupcakes a try, they really are amazing!
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
All of your cupcakes look amazing…I find it hard to believe they haven’t ALL been delicious!! These ones are so pretty, too…I love the stopped strawberries on top of that icing. Yummm!
lyuba says
Thank you, Cathy! They really were all delicious, it’s hard to choose a favorite 🙂
Lisa @ Cooking with Curls says
Gorgeous Lyuba, those cupcakes look amazing! My eye still went straight to the Avocado Cupcake, but I love the dark backgrounds as well. Your photos are always awesome, so keep doing whatever it is that you are doing!! 🙂 I think it works well for you, because the lighting is so good. I’m looking at the images in your sidebar, and you don’t really notice the dark background, because the food” shines”…if that makes any sense. 😉
lyuba says
You are so sweet, Lisa! Thank you!!
(It makes total sense! I love to make food the star of the photo 🙂 )
Tanya Schroeder says
Ah, there’s those gorgeous cupcakes!!!! I am a huge lover of Tiramisu-which is exactly what these remind me of also! Mascarpone is the best!
lyuba says
Thank you so much, Tanya! 🙂
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
I love how the colors pop off of the dark backgrounds… I would definitely keep with that when it’s possible. And these cupcakes look amazing! And totally LOVE the idea of adding mascarpone for the frosting! YUM!
lyuba says
Thank you so much, Chris!!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
These cupcakes are right up my alley, Lyuba! And I love that the the frosting is made with mascarpone! 🙂
I have always been drawn to lighter, brighter photos & those are the types of food photos I also personally prefer to take. I think the darker ones are maybe more artistic? But it does seem that readers love the lighter, brighter photos. Personally, I love the 1st and the 2nd one above. I know- such a contradictions because one is light and one is darker? Maybe it depends on the recipe?
lyuba says
I am coming to realize that it depends on the photo. Some photos are just meant to be in dark. I did end up asking my FB fans and it seems like the preference is split about half and half and some don’t really care, they will make the recipe if it sounds good 🙂
Thank you, Carrie!!
Jennifer says
I have been searching for a strawberry cupcake recipe that actually uses strawberries, as opposed to a strawberry cake mix… thank you!! And I’m partial to the light pictures 🙂
lyuba says
I am happy to help, Jennifer! Thank you!
Claire @ A Little Claireification says
Why hello there, my delicious little friends. Wowza – these look beautiful Lyuba! Pinned! xo
lyuba says
Thank you so much, Claire 🙂
Marisa Franca says
Well, you know how often I comment on your photos — I definitely like the dark. It seems like there is a spotlight on the star of the show. Believe me, I study every food presentation to see how the photo affects how I react to the food. How do you get that effect? If it is a secret forget I asked. I am always trying to learn 🙂 And on the subject of the cupcakes they look fantastic and I’m sure they taste the same. I don’t particularly like sweet icing so I believe that the mascarpone cheese in the frosting would give it a smoother non sweet taste — am I correct? Whatever you are doing as far as recipes and photos —you are right on the mark as far as I’m concerned.
lyuba says
You are correct! I don’t like very sweet things so I love whipped and this mascarpone frosting because it is light, smooth and just sweet enough.
Thank you, Marisa!
Mary Frances says
These are so bright and cheery! I cannot get enough strawberries. Personally, I like the darker background, but I don’t like it if that is all a blogger uses (I’m guilty of it at times!) All your photos are lovely, but that is just me! 🙂
lyuba says
Thank you so much, Mary!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
These cupcakes are AMAZING! Marscapone makes everything better! I agree with Kate. Love the darker photos but it seems readers love the light ones.
lyuba says
It sure does, Nancy!
Thank you!
Kate@Diethood says
OMG, Lyuba these look fantastic!! I love the texture.
I am into moody photos, so I really, really like the darker ones. 🙂 However, I have noticed that more readers will make the recipe if the photos are brighter. I’ve done the research and I’m not wrong. hahaha 🙂
lyuba says
Thank you, Kate 😉
That is what I’ve heard and I will be asking my FB fans tonight. I can’t wait to see what they say.