Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun, show-stopping dessert that also happens to taste amazing, you’re going to adore this Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe. I remember the first time I made these for a Halloween party — my family went crazy for them! They’re adorable, a little spooky, and packed with fresh strawberry flavor plus a touch of chocolate that makes every bite a memorable treat. Keep reading because I’m sharing all my tips to help you nail these cupcakes with ease and create a dessert that’ll wow everyone at your next gathering.

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe, I like to keep things straightforward with a mix of store-bought essentials and fresh ingredients. The strawberry juice adds a punch of natural flavor, and the dark chocolate makes those monster “mouths” irresistible. Be sure to pick ripe, juicy strawberries for the best results!

• Large Strawberries: Choose firm ones with nice green tops for easy handling and great freshness.
• Dark Chocolate Chips: These melt nicely to create the monster mouths—go for high-quality chips for best flavor.
• Wilton White Icing: Perfect for piping the “teeth” – it holds shape beautifully.
• Piping Bag and 00 Piping Tip: Essential for the tiny teeth details on the strawberries.
• White Cake Mix: A classic base that lets the strawberry flavor shine through.
• Strawberry Jello: Adds extra strawberry punch and a subtle rosy hue to the cake.
• Eggs (lightly beaten): Helps bind the batter and give it a nice rise.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cupcakes moist and tender.
• Strawberry Juice: Made by mashing fresh strawberries and mixing with water to keep things natural and juicy.
• Wilton Green Icing: For that monster “grass” look on top of the cupcakes.
• Oreo Crumbs: Adds a fun crunchy garnish that contrasts perfectly with the softness.

Variations

I love how versatile this Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe is. Once you get comfortable with the basic idea, you can start customizing it to fit your taste or dietary needs. Let me share a few variations I’ve tried and loved over time.

• Chocolate Lover’s Version: Swap the white cake mix for chocolate and use milk chocolate chips instead for a double-chocolate monster effect—my kids ask for this one every time!
• Dairy-Free Variation: Use a dairy-free cake mix and substitute eggs with applesauce or flax eggs to make it suitable for sensitive tummies.
• Fresh Fruit Twist: Mix mini chocolate chips inside the cupcake batter for little surprises in every bite.
• Extra Spooky: Add green food coloring to the batter for a ghoulish glow that’s perfect for Halloween parties.

How to Make Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Monster Mouths on Strawberries

Start by washing your large strawberries and patting them dry. Then, carefully cut off the tops and slice a “mouth” shape along the side of each strawberry—this is where the magic happens! When I first tried this, I found that using a small, sharp knife makes it easier to get a clean cut without damaging the berry. The shape doesn’t have to be perfect; a little irregularity adds character to your monsters.

Step 2: Make the Monster Mouth Filling

Next, melt the dark chocolate chips in the microwave in 45-second bursts, stirring each time, until completely smooth. Spoon or spread this melted chocolate into the cut “mouth” on each strawberry. Then, pop them all in the freezer for about an hour to let the chocolate set hard. Freezing helps keep the mouths intact and makes the teeth decorating easier later.

Step 3: Mix the Cake Batter

While the chocolate sets, combine your white cake mix with the strawberry Jello, beaten eggs, vegetable oil, and fresh strawberry juice. I like to mash fresh strawberries and squeeze out extra juice to combine with water for an authentic flavor boost—it’s such a simple trick that makes these cupcakes extra juicy and fragrant. Mix everything until smooth but be careful not to overmix, or your cupcakes might become dense.

Step 4: Bake the Cupcakes

Line your cupcake pan with liners and fill each one just about halfway with the batter. Bake according to the cake mix instructions, usually around 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely before moving on to decorating—warm cupcakes and icing don’t mix well, and you’ll end up with a melty mess.

Step 5: Decorate Your Monster Cupcakes

Spread green icing on top of each cooled cupcake, creating a “monster grass” effect by using a piping bag with a grass tip or simply a knife for a rustic look. Then, sprinkle Oreo crumbs atop the icing to add a little texture and dirt-like charm. Finally, take the frozen strawberries out of the freezer and pipe tiny white “teeth” into the chocolate mouths using the white icing and a fine tip. Place one strawberry on each cupcake, and you’ve got yourself a spooky, fun, and delicious monster!

How to Serve Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing these cupcakes off with a sprinkle of Oreo crumbs for crunch and a contrast that brings the whole design to life. Sometimes I add a little edible glitter for a fun sparkle or chopped pistachios mixed into the green icing for an extra pop of color and texture. It’s those little details that turn these cupcakes into conversation starters.

Side Dishes

These Monster Strawberry Cupcakes pair wonderfully with a light side like a chilled berry salad or a refreshing lemonade to balance out the sweetness. I’ve also served them alongside a simple vanilla yogurt dip for kids, which they absolutely love. It keeps the overall dessert experience bright and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween, I arranged these cupcakes on a cake stand surrounded by fake spider webs and plastic bugs to really set the spooky scene. Another time, I placed them in small Halloween-themed cupcake boxes to hand out as favors at a kids’ party — they were a huge hit! You can also pipe little eyes with icing or candy to customize your monster’s expression even more.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any leftover cupcakes covered tightly in an airtight container in the fridge. The green icing can dry out a bit if left uncovered, and the strawberries stay nice and fresh when chilled properly. I usually bring them to room temperature before serving to get back that soft cake texture.

Freezing

Freezing the cupcakes works well if you want to prep ahead. I freeze them unassembled—just the cupcakes on their own—wrapped individually in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to serve, thaw completely and decorate with icing, Oreo crumbs, and the strawberry monsters just before your event.

Reheating

To warm up leftover cupcakes, I pop them in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. Be cautious not to overheat or the icing and strawberry decorations can get too soft. I usually add fresh “teeth” piping if needed to refresh the presentation.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Monster Strawberry Cupcakes Recipe brings smiles (and a little spookiness) to the table. It’s one of those recipes that’s accessible for bakers of all levels but still delivers a wow factor. Whether it’s for Halloween, a kids’ party, or just a fun weekend baking project, I know these cupcakes will delight your family and friends just like they did mine. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy the process and, most importantly, the delicious results!

Print