A Berry Good Reason to Bake: Mixed Berry Cupcakes
If you’re ready to berry your troubles and whip up something sweet, these Mixed Berry Cupcakes are just what you need! Imagine soft, homemade vanilla cupcakes studded with a medley of berries, all crowned with a swirl of tangy mixed berry frosting—talk about the ultimate berry-on-berry experience. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just want to impress your friends with your berry impressive skills, this recipe is foolproof and fun. Warning: these cupcakes may cause uncontrollable berry puns and sudden cravings for seconds. Let’s dive in and make your dessert table the most berry-licious spot around!
Why these cupcakes are amazing:
- Super delicious homemade vanilla cupcakes with sour cream and chopped mixed berries – these cupcakes are moist and full of summer flavors!
- Easy to make ahead of time, so they’re great for summer BBQs, parties, potlucks, or holidays.
- Easily customizable with your favorite berries.
Mixed Berry Cupcakes
Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 40 minutes / Bake time: 14-16 minutes
Servings: 24 cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cup sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 3 ½ cups flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups mixed berries of choice (strawberries – diced, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, etc)
Frosting
- 2 cups mixed berries of choice (strawberries – diced, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, etc)
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ tsp salt
- 4 ½ cups powdered sugar
- Additional berries, to decorate
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two standard muffin tins with cupcake liners, set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth.
Add in the vanilla, eggs, sour cream and milk. Mix to combine.
Add in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix well, scraping down the sides often.
Dice strawberries and blackberries, if using.
Fold the fruit into the batter gently until combined.
Divide the batter between the cupcake liners, filling each about ½ full.
Bake in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes or until the center is set. Allow to cool completely before decorating.
For the frosting – in a small saucepan, combine the fresh fruit (diced, if needed) and the lime juice.
Heat over medium low for about 10-15 minutes or until the fruit breaks down, simmers and thickens to a paste-like consistency. Stir frequently to avoid scorching. Allow as much of the moisture to boil off as possible so it doesn’t break down the frosting.
Allow the fruit to cool to room temperature.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter, about half of the powdered sugar, and salt. Mix on low just until combined.
Add in the remaining powdered sugar. Mixture will be thick but will be thinned as soon as the fruit is added.
Add in the cooled fruit and mix on low until combined and then bump up the speed to medium to whip the frosting until smooth and creamy. If the frosting is too thin, add additional powdered sugar (only if needed).
Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
Once the cupcakes are cool, pipe a dollop of frosting onto each cupcake.
Top with additional fresh fruit to decorate.
Storage: Cupcakes should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
FAQ
Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh?
Yes! You can use frozen berries for both the cupcakes and the frosting. Just be sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture.
How should I store these cupcakes?
Store your mixed berry cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Can I make the cupcakes ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cupcakes a day in advance and frost them just before serving. This helps keep them fresh and the frosting looking its berry best.
Can I used a box cupcake mix instead of homemade?
Sure! Feel free to use your favorite vanilla cupcake mix.
