Strawberry Coconut Cupcakes

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Strawberry Coconut Cupcakes are the perfect dessert for special occasions, or any day in between. They're filled with real strawberry flavor!

strawberry coconut cupcakes in a glass dish with a strawberry on top
Jump To

Why You'll Love These Cupcakes

Who doesn't love cupcakes? How about Strawberry Coconut Cupcakes with Pink Buttercream frosting?

There's just something about eating your own little cake that takes your cares away. You don't have to share it with anybody. It's just you and a perfectly swirled little cake.

These cupcakes are super easy to make and also make a big impression, so you might want to double the recipe! The fresh strawberry on top of homemade buttercream frosting makes all the difference.

Looking for another cute cupcake idea? Try these Pokemon Cupcakes for your next birthday party!

cupcakes in glass dishes with a strawberry on top

How to Make Strawberry Coconut Cupcakes

Strawberry Coconut Cupcakes start with a cake mix and end with a whole lotta loving. If you've never jazzed up a cake mix before, now's your chance to give it a whirl. Instead of following the directions on the back of the box, you add lots of stuff that makes the cake taste like it came from a bakery.

You'll need 4 eggs, 1 stick of melted butter, 1 cup of milk, 1 tablespoon of vanilla, and a small box of instant vanilla pudding.

Mix all of that together with a dry box of cake mix, then add 1 cup of coconut and 1 cup of chopped strawberries that have been squeezed and dried in paper towels.

Scoop the batter into lined muffin tins (ad), filling each one ¾ full. Bake for 17 minutes at 350 degrees, and your house will smell like a strawberry garden!

strawberry cupcake batter in a liners ready to be baked

How to Make Pink Buttercream Icing

The best part of Strawberry Coconut Cupcakes is the delicious buttercream icing. Adding pink gel food coloring (ad) is optional, but doesn't it look pretty? Just wait until you taste this beauty!

The best buttercream icing starts with 5 cups of powdered sugar, 2 sticks of softened butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of cream. Blend it together with a mixer, then add 1 teaspoon of pink gel food coloring. Mix until smooth, then add to a piping bag with your choice of tip. I use this handy cupcake decorating set from Wilton (ad).

Piping the cupcakes takes a little practice, but it's easy if you start on the bottom of each cupcake and swirl around and up in a clockwise motion. If you've ever made a soft serve ice cream cone, it's the same technique.

Don't worry if you mess up! The cook gets to eat all of the mistakes. Enjoy your cupcake. And, let all your cares fade away.

cupcakes cooling on a white counter

More Strawberry Desserts to Love

Recipe Card

strawberry coconut cupcakes in a glass dish with a strawberry on top

Strawberry Coconut Cupcakes

Strawberry Coconut Cupcakes are the perfect dessert for Valentine's Day, or any day in between. They're filled with real strawberry goodness!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Servings12
Calories: 443kcal

*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.

Ingredients

BATTER

  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 box 16.25 oz vanilla cake mix, dry
  • 1 box 3.4 oz vanilla instant pudding, dry
  • 1 stick butter melted
  • 1 cup strawberries chopped, squeezed and dried in paper towels
  • 1 cup shredded coconut

ICING

  • 2 sticks butter softened
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. whipping cream can use whole milk if desired
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 tsp. pink gel food coloring ad
  • strawberries cut in half for garnish

Instructions

BATTER

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Beat eggs and milk together in a mixer. 
  • Add dry cake mix and dry vanilla pudding. Blend for 1 minute.
  • Add melted butter, blend 1 minute.
  • Stir in strawberries and coconut until blended.
  • Scoop batter into lined muffin tins. (ad)
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 17 minutes and allow to cool completely before icing.

ICING

  • Blend powdered sugar with softened butter in a mixer for 2 minutes on medium.
  • Add cream and vanilla.  Blend until smooth.
  • Add
    pink gel food coloring (ad) and blend well.
  • Place into a piping bag with choice of tip (ad).
  • Frost cupcakes in a swirl (starting on bottom and going around and up in a clockwise motion).
  • Garnish each cupcake with a strawberry that has been cut in half.

Notes

  • Add more food coloring to icing to achieve the color you like.
  • Refrigerate cupcakes until ready to serve. 
  • Make sure strawberries are squeezed in paper towels until no water comes out or the cupcakes will be runny. 

Nutrition

Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 91g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 352mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 72g | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.

Love this recipe? PIN it!Visit @quichemygrits or tag #quichemygrits!

Sharing is Caring! Love my RECIPES? Please SHARE with friends!

9 Comments

  1. Yes I don't mean to act dumb but when you say cream do you mean like whipping cream or heavy whipping cream what kind of creamer you exactly. Come out in this recipe thank you again

    1. Hi Pamela! That's a great question. I meant regular whipping cream. I should have been more clear and I'll change it on the recipe card. You could also use whole milk if desired. Thanks for pointing that out to me!

  2. 5 stars
    I made these the other night and wow. Just wow. Of course, my piping job didn't look like yours, but the cupcakes were delicious! And so easy!!!

    1. I do too, Michelle! I think the coconut in these cupcakes makes them more moist than others. 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    Yes! I was lucky enough to try this one. So moist and so pretty. The buttercream icing was awesome. Thanks Debi, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Love it!

5 from 4 votes

Leave a Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please RATE this RECIPE: