Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups (190g) All-purpose flour
  • 0.75 cup (65g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 1.5 cups (300g) Granulated sugar
  • 1.5 tsp Baking soda
  • 0.75 tsp Baking powder
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 2 Large eggs, room temperature
  • 0.75 cup (180ml) Full-fat buttermilk
  • 0.75 cup (180ml) Boiling water
  • 0.33 cup (80ml) Vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp Pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (300g) Fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
  • 0.25 cup (50g) Granulated sugar (for filling)
  • 1 tsp Balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup (226g) Unsalted butter, softened
  • 3.5 cups (420g) Powdered sugar, sifted
  • 0.125 tsp Salt
  • 12 Small fresh strawberries, whole
  • 4 oz (115g) Semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 tsp Coconut oil

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. Bloom the cocoa: In a small bowl, whisk the Dutch-processed cocoa powder into the boiling water until smooth. Let cool slightly.
  3. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then slowly stream in the bloomed cocoa mixture, whisking until the batter is thin and smooth. Divide evenly into liners.
  5. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  6. Prepare reduction: Simmer diced strawberries, sugar, and balsamic vinegar in a saucepan over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes until thick. Strain 3-4 tablespoons of liquid for the frosting; keep the remaining chunky reduction for the filling.
  7. Make frosting: Cream softened butter until pale. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt. Mix in the reserved 3-4 tablespoons of strawberry reduction liquid until fluffy.
  8. Assemble: Use a small knife to remove the center of each cooled cupcake. Fill the cavity with the strawberry reduction.
  9. Pipe the strawberry buttercream onto the cupcakes using a star tip.
  10. Prepare topping: Melt semi-sweet chocolate and coconut oil together. Dip whole strawberries into the chocolate and place one atop each frosted cupcake.