Save 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.
This recipe has always been a hit at family parties and brings a splash of color and joy to any table.
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:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- 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.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- Stir in the milk and mango purée until combined.
- Combine Mixtures:
- Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just incorporated do not overmix.
- Fill 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.
- Fill Cupcakes:
- 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 Flavors:
- Mix in vanilla extract and heavy cream (or milk) until fluffy.
- Color Frostings:
- 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:
- To create the sunset 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 Sharing these cupcakes with my family always brings smiles and fond memories of joyful celebrations.
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 per serving
Save These vibrant cupcakes make any occasion special with their tropical flavors and sunset colors.
Recipe FAQ
- → What ingredients create the sunset swirl frosting?
The swirl frosting is made by dividing classic buttercream and mixing it with mango purée for a yellow-orange shade and strawberry purée for a pink-red hue, then piping them together to achieve a sunset effect.
- → How is the strawberry filling added?
After baking and cooling, a small center is removed from each cupcake and filled with a teaspoon of strawberry jam to add a fruity surprise inside.
- → Can I prepare these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes, store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- → What is a good substitution for butter to lighten the batter?
You can replace part of the butter with Greek yogurt in the batter to reduce fat and add moisture while keeping the texture tender.
- → What tools are necessary to make these cupcakes?
Essential tools include a muffin tin, cupcake liners, mixing bowls, an electric mixer, spatula, piping bag with a star tip, and a small knife or cupcake corer for filling.