Save to Pinterest A vibrant, tropical-inspired cupcake bursting with mango and strawberry flavors, finished with a stunning sunset swirl buttercream. Perfect for summer gatherings or any festive celebration.
I've always loved bright, fruity desserts and these cupcakes are a delightful way to capture summer in a treat.
Ingredients
- Cupcake Batter: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 ½ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt ½ cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract ½ cup milk ¼ cup mango purée (fresh or canned)
- Filling: ¼ cup strawberry jam
- Sunset Swirl Buttercream: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 3 cups powdered sugar 2 tbsp heavy cream (or milk) 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 tbsp mango purée 2 tbsp strawberry purée
- Optional Garnish: Fresh strawberry slices Fresh mango slices
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- Stir in the milk and mango purée until combined.
- Fold in Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just incorporated do not overmix.
- Fill Cupcake Liners:
- Divide the batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake:
- Bake for 18 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Core Cupcakes and Add Filling:
- Once cooled, use a small knife or cupcake corer to remove a small center from each cupcake Fill each cavity with about 1 teaspoon of strawberry jam.
- Make Buttercream:
- Beat the softened butter until creamy Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth.
- Add Flavor to Buttercream:
- Mix in vanilla extract and heavy cream (or milk) until fluffy.
- Color Frosting:
- Divide the frosting evenly into three bowls Leave one plain (white/vanilla) Mix mango purée into the second bowl (yellow-orange) Mix strawberry purée into the third bowl (pink-red).
- Create Swirl Effect:
- Add spoonfuls of each colored frosting side-by-side into a large piping bag fitted with a star tip.
- Pipe Frosting:
- Pipe swirls of frosting onto each cupcake, creating a sunset gradient.
- Garnish:
- Garnish with a slice of strawberry or mango if desired.
Save to Pinterest This recipe always brings smiles to my family gatherings, especially when everyone sees the colorful buttercream swirls.
Required Tools
Muffin tin Cupcake liners Mixing bowls Electric mixer (hand or stand) Spatula Piping bag with star tip Small knife or cupcake corer Wire rack
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (dairy) May contain traces of nuts if ingredients are processed in facilities that handle nuts Always check labels if preparing for individuals with allergies
Nutritional Information
Calories: 320 Total Fat: 15 g Carbohydrates: 45 g Protein: 3 g
Save to Pinterest These cupcakes make a beautiful and delicious addition to any party or summer picnic.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I achieve the sunset swirl effect?
Divide frosting into three bowls: plain, mango purée mixed, and strawberry purée mixed. Pipe them side-by-side into a bag and swirl on top for the gradient look.
- → Can I substitute any ingredients for dietary needs?
Butter in the batter can be partly replaced with Greek yogurt for a lighter texture. Ensure other substitutions maintain the batter’s consistency.
- → What is the best way to store these cupcakes?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- → How do I fill the cupcakes with strawberry jam?
After baking and cooling, remove a small center from each cupcake with a knife or corer, then spoon in about one teaspoon of strawberry jam.
- → What tools are needed for baking and decorating?
Prepare using muffin tins, liners, mixing bowls, an electric mixer, spatula, piping bag with star tip, knife or corer, and a wire rack for cooling.