Strawberry Shortcake Drip Cupcakes

These strawberry shortcake drip cupcakes are bakery-style treats that I love making for parties and special occasions. With fluffy strawberry cupcakes, silky pink cream cheese frosting, and a glossy condensed-milk drip, they’re both beautiful and delicious. I like topping them with fresh berries for the perfect finishing touch.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I enjoy how these cupcakes look fancy without being complicated. Using a cake mix base makes them quick and foolproof, but the homemade frosting and drip give them that bakery-quality glow-up. They’re light, fruity, and creamy all at once, making them a crowd-pleasing dessert for birthdays, showers, or summer gatherings.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cupcakes:

• 1 box (15.25 oz) strawberry or vanilla cake mix

• 3 large eggs

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 1 cup milk (or buttermilk for extra richness)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 2–3 tablespoons strawberry puree or jam

• Pink food coloring (optional)

For the drip and topping:

• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

• Fresh strawberries, halved

• Crushed shortbread cookies or graham crackers (optional)

Directions

1. I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with paper liners.

2. To make the cupcakes, I whisk the cake mix, eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla together until smooth. I divide the batter evenly into the liners, filling each about two-thirds full.

3. I bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. I let them cool completely.

4. For the frosting, I beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy. I add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in strawberry puree and a touch of food coloring until I get a silky pink swirl.

5. Once the cupcakes are cooled, I pipe tall swirls of frosting on top.

6. I spoon condensed milk over the frosting, letting it drip slightly down the sides.

7. I finish with a fresh strawberry on each cupcake, and sometimes a sprinkle of crushed cookies for a shortcake touch.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 18–20 cupcakes. It usually takes me 15 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to bake, so everything is ready in under an hour.

Variations

Sometimes I switch the condensed milk drip for white chocolate ganache for a richer topping. If I want extra strawberry flavor, I fold diced fresh strawberries into the cupcake batter. For a lighter twist, I make a whipped cream frosting instead of cream cheese. I also like swapping strawberries for raspberries or blueberries for a different berry shortcake vibe.

storage/reheating

I keep the cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Since the frosting has cream cheese, I don’t leave them out for long periods. To serve, I let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes so the frosting softens. These cupcakes also freeze well (unfrosted) for up to 2 months—I just thaw and decorate before serving.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, I sometimes use vanilla or white cake mix if I want a lighter strawberry flavor.

How do I get a neat drip effect?

I chill the frosted cupcakes for about 15 minutes before spooning on the condensed milk so the drips set slowly and neatly.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, I bake the cupcakes a day ahead and frost them just before serving.

Can I use whipped cream instead of cream cheese frosting?

Yes, whipped cream works beautifully for a lighter version, though it won’t hold its shape as long.

Do I have to use food coloring?

No, the strawberry puree gives the frosting a natural pink hue, but I add a drop of food coloring if I want a brighter bakery-pink look.

Conclusion

These strawberry shortcake drip cupcakes are one of my favorite party-ready desserts. I love how the fluffy cake, creamy frosting, and glossy drip all come together with the fresh strawberry on top. They’re simple to make yet impressive enough to steal the show at any gathering.

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